A cause of death has been determined for Jack Pugh, the former University of Wisconsin football player who retired from the sport to focus on his mental health.
Pugh died of acute bronchopneumonia, an infection that causes fluid to fill the lungs and airways, according to a coroner’s report obtained by People. The infection came about due to Pugh’s cardiomyopathy. The former Badgers tight end was 24.
The coroner’s report also revealed Pugh had hepatosplenomegaly, an enlarged liver and spleen, when he died in March.
“The Wisconsin athletics family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Pugh,” the school said in a statement released March 31. “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.”
After his death, Pugh’s obituary remembered him as an “athlete who excelled in both football and basketball during his school years.”
“His love for sports was matched only by his love for people; Jack had a huge heart and an innate ability to connect with everyone he met,” the obituary read. “His warmth and kindness touched the lives of many, leaving an indelible mark on family, friends, and colleagues alike.”
Pugh was a tight end who came to Wisconsin as a four-star recruit out of Columbus, Ohio. He played for the Big Ten squad from 2021 to 2023 before retiring, citing mental health reasons.
“My physical health was not near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up,” he wrote via Instagram at the time. “Over years of prolonged depression and substance abuse, I decided I deserved a better life and to finally find happiness.”
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He added that while football was not the reason behind his struggles, it was keeping him from addressing other areas of his life.
“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 never had prioritized my mental health all along, digging a deeper, darker hole,” Pugh explained.
He concluded, “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.”
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