Jack Pugh, who walked away from college football, dies

Former Wisconsin tight end Jack Pugh, who cited his mental health when he retired from football in 2023, has died.

The Badgers announced his passing on Tuesday via social media.

"The Wisconsin Athletics family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Pugh," the program said in a statement. "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."

Our thoughts are with Jack's family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/nvMTNoAMiQ

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) April 1, 2026

247Sports ranked Pugh as a four-star recruit from Hilliard Bradley High School in Ohio in the Class of 2021. He concentrated on basketball in his first two years of high school, then joined the football team as a junior and had offers from throughout the Big Ten and beyond.

He enrolled at Wisconsin in January 2021 and spent three seasons as a member of the Badgers. He redshirted in 2021, appeared in one game in 2022 and took the 2023 season off for personal reasons. He announced his retirement from football in 2023 with an Instagram post.

"My physical health was not near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up. 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 didn't want to be alive for years.

"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."

His cause of death was not released. Pugh was born in 2001.

--Field Level Media