A coroner’s report has concluded that the death of former Wisconsin tight end Jack Pugh stemmed from acute bronchopneumonia, one type of pneumonia. Pugh was 24 years old when he died on March 30.

The Franklin County Coroner’s Office in Ohio provided the details of the findings.

Officials there determined the lung infection arose due to cardiomyopathy with hepatosplenomegaly. Cardiomyopathy is a condition that weakens the heart muscle and makes it harder for the organ to push blood through the body.

Hepatosplenomegaly refers to an enlargement of both the liver and the spleen.

People Magazine first published word of the coroner’s conclusions on Tuesday.

Pugh grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and arrived at Wisconsin ready to compete at the tight end position. He spent the 2021 season as a redshirt before getting into one game the next year.

That same 2022 campaign brought him academic All-Big Ten recognition for his work in the classroom. In December 2023 he posted on Instagram that he had already chosen, before the season began, to medically retire from football.

“My physical health was not near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up,” Pugh said. “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 never had prioritized my mental health all along, digging a deeper darker hole.”

After news of his death spread, the Wisconsin football program shared a statement on social media.

“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.”

Pugh finished his coursework and collected his degree from Wisconsin the year before he died. Friends and former teammates remembered him as someone who showed up with energy even on hard days and who always checked in on the people around him.

His decision to step away from the game years earlier had centered on seeking better balance in life after dealing with personal struggles that stretched back a long time.

The coroner’s determination now closes one chapter of questions that lingered after his unexpected passing in the spring. University officials and those who knew him continue to reflect on the contributions he made during his short time with the program.

Pugh’s story has drawn attention once more to the pressures athletes face both on and off the field.

Those close to the family have asked for privacy as they process the full medical explanation of what happened. The report itself offers a clear medical picture without pointing to any other factors beyond the listed conditions.

In the months since March, the Wisconsin athletics community has held onto the memory of a young man who earned respect for more than just his athletic ability.

His academic success and quiet determination off the field left a lasting impression on coaches and classmates alike.