Wisconsin football mourns passing of former tight end Jack Pugh

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MADISON – The Wisconsin football program is mourning the passing of Jack Pugh, a tight end who spent three years in the program.

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A four-star recruit coming out of high school, Pugh was a member of the Badgers’ 2021 recruiting class. Pugh focused on basketball during his first two years at Hilliard Bradley High School near Columbus, Ohio, before joining the football team as a junior. Despite the lack of experience, Pugh received nearly two dozen offers that included Michigan, Penn State, MIchigan State, Maryland and Minnesota.

His last year with the Badgers was 2023, though he spent that season away from the program due to personal reasons. In December of '23 he announced his retirement due to health reasons.

Here is what he wrote on Instagram in announcing his depature from the game.

"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."

The UW athletic department issued a statement about Pugh's passing Tuesday March 31.

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

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin's football mourns the death of former TE Jack Pugh

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