Former Wisconsin Badgers Tight End Jack Pugh Dies at 24
Wisconsin football and Columbus, Ohio, communities are mourning the loss of former Wisconsin Badgers tight end Jack Pugh, who passed away at the age of 24. The University of Wisconsin football program announced his death on X, expressing deep sadness over the loss of a “positive light” who was loved by teammates and staff.
Pugh, a 6-foot-5 athlete from Columbus, Ohio, redshirted his freshman year in 2021 and played in one game in 2022, earning academic All-Big Ten honors. Although he was on the Badgers’ roster in 2023, he spent the season away from football and announced his retirement in December 2023 due to health and mental health challenges.
“My physical health was not near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up,” Pugh shared in a heartfelt Instagram post. He spoke openly about overcoming prolonged depression and substance abuse, emphasizing his journey toward happiness and faith.
Pugh graduated from UW-Madison in 2025 and is remembered for his spirit both on and off the field. Before college, he played high school football at Hilliard Bradley High School in Columbus, Ohio, initially focusing on basketball before joining the football team in his junior year.
The Wisconsin football family and the wider community honor Jack Pugh’s memory and the impact he made during his life, both academically and athletically.
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