Wisconsin Mourns Former Football Player Jack Pugh

Jack Pugh, who played football for the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 2021 to 2023, passed away Monday night at the age of 24. Pugh retired from the program in December 2023 after struggling with mental health challenges.

Pugh's Time with the Badgers

During his time with the Badgers, Pugh did not record any receptions. He initially walked onto the team after focusing on basketball during his first two years at Hilliard Bradley High School in Ohio. He did not see game action in his freshman year and only appeared in one game during the 2022 season.

Retirement and Mental Health Journey

Pugh publicly shared his reasons for retiring from football in a December 2023 post, as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He attributed his decision to ongoing struggles with depression and substance abuse, stating, “My physical health was not near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up.”

Pugh's Reflection on His Struggles

He emphasized that football wasn't the cause of his issues, but rather a distraction from them. “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,” Pugh wrote. He expressed gratitude to the coaches, teammates, friends, and family he met through the Badger football program for helping him find happiness and a relationship with God.

Reactions to Pugh's Passing

The Wisconsin football team expressed their sadness on their X account, stating, “The Wisconsin athletics family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Pugh.” The team remembered him as a “positive light” who cared about others and was loved by those around him. They also noted that Pugh earned his degree from UW-Madison in 2025.

Braelon Allen, a current running back for the New York Jets and a former teammate of Pugh’s, shared the Wisconsin football team’s announcement on his Instagram Story.