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Former Wisconsin Badgers tight end Jack Pugh, who medically retired in 2023 to focus on mental health, has died at the age of 24, the football program announced on its X account Tuesday (March 31).
"The Wisconsin Athletics family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Pugh," the post states. "Jack was a positive light and brought a genuine spirit to our football program. More than that, he cared about people and was loved by his teammates and staff. Jack proudly earned his degree from UW-Madison in 2025 and will forever be remembered and loved."
Pugh's cause of death wasn't given at the time of publication. The former tight end redshirted in 2021 and made appearance in 2022, earning All-Big Ten honors, before announcing his plan to medically retire in December 2023 to focus on his mental health.
"My physical health was not near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up," Pugh said in that Instagram post at the time. "Over years of prolonged depression and substance abuse, I decided I deserved a better life and to finally find happiness. In no way was football the root of these problems, but everything in my life had distracted me for so long to the point I never had prioritized my mental health all along, digging a deeper darker hole.
"I want to thank the amazing Coaches, Teammates, Friends and Family @badgerfootball has provided me with over the years for helping me find a life I'm happy and proud of, and to finally create a relationship with God. I'll never forget the memories. Love y'all."