Former Wisconsin tight end Jack Pugh died of lung infection linked to heart and liver issues

According to a report from the Franklin County Coroner’s Office obtained on Aug. 18, former Wisconsin Badgers tight end Jack Pugh died on March 30 from acute bronchopneumonia, a bacterial or viral lung infection. Medical analysis linked the pneumonia to cardiomyopathy, a heart disorder, and to hepatosplenomegaly, an enlargement of the liver and spleen. Pugh, who had played for the Badgers between 2021 and 2023, retired in 2023 to prioritize his mental health after battling depression and substance abuse.

In a retirement post, he explained that football was not the cause of his struggles but that he needed a better life. The University of Wisconsin confirmed his death on March 31, noting his positive influence on the program and his 2025 degree. His family and teammates remembered him as a caring individual whose untimely death highlights the intersection of physical and mental health issues in athletes.