Jack Pugh, former Wisconsin football player who left the sport to focus on his mental health, dies at 24
NBC News • • sports
Key Points:
- Jack Pugh, a former University of Wisconsin tight end who left football to focus on his mental health, has died at the age of 24, the school announced.
- The Wisconsin football program described Pugh as a positive influence and emphasized his caring nature and the strong bonds he had with teammates and staff.
- Pugh played for Wisconsin from 2021 to 2023 after being a highly sought-after recruit, and he earned his degree in 2025.
- He publicly cited prolonged depression and substance abuse as reasons for stepping away from football in 2023, emphasizing that mental health struggles, not football itself, led to his decision.
- The cause of Pugh’s death has not been disclosed, and the university has not provided further comment.
