Joshua Daniel Nesbitt, BHS 2006

Former Burbank High football player, 21, is remembered for leadership.

Joshua Daniel Nesbitt, remembered by family and coaches as a warm-hearted man who harnessed his popularity as a high school football standout to shepherd young teammates to church, shot himself to death Wednesday at the Firing-Line indoor shooting range. He was 21.

As a senior at Burbank High School, Nesbitt served as a team captain, earning first-team All-Foothill League and All-Area honors at linebacker. He later participated in the East-West All-Star game at Birmingham High, intercepting a pass and returning it 29 yards for a touchdown.

The Frederick, Maryland, native graduated from Burbank High in 2006 before going on to a successful freshman season at Glendale Community College, starting every game for the 9-2 Vaqueros and racking up 22 solo tackles and 48 assists to earn All-Western State Conference Southern Division second-team honors on defense. His team went on to win the Western State Bowl against Santa Ana College.

“He just had so much passion to play the game,” said Glendale Coach John Rome, who recruited Nesbitt as an assistant. “I just feel blessed we were able to have him in our program. ”But deep bouts of depression came in May. In July, he was diagnosed with Schizoaffective disorder, a mental condition that causes a loss of contact with reality and mood problems, his dad, Craig Nesbitt said. He spent time in a mental hospital, where the family believes he was overmedicated, he added.

“[Josh] was in misery as a result of the medication,” he said. But this week his family began to see signs of “the old Josh.” While out Thursday with his mother, he requested they visit the gun range for target practice, said Noelle Nesbitt, his sister. “The next thing you know, Mom saw him drop to the ground,” she said. He died at the scene, authorities said.

Despite taking requisite safety precautions, the range has had a deadly history. A 64-year-old Burbank man in June shot himself to death at the firing range. And last year, a 25-year-old Glendale man used a rented handgun to kill himself at the same site.

Nesbitt is survived by his father, Craig; mother, Michele; brothers Nathan, Justin, Troy and Craig Jr.; and sister, Noelle. He also had a step-mother, Yvonne Nesbitt; and four step-siblings, Ryan Burger, Casie Burger, Whitney Burger and Erick Burger.

A public viewing is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Sunday, with the service to follow at 5 p.m. at Media City Church, 269 E. Providencia Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations for the service be sent between 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday by calling (323) 769-7372. Or contact Media City Church at (818) 842-2186.


This is from a Florida Newspaper:

Joshua D. Nesbitt -Burbank, CA - Joshua Daniel Nesbitt a former Satellite Beach H.S. football stand out passed away suddenly Wednesday, November 4, 2009 in Burbank CA. Joshua was born March 8, 1988 in Frederick MD. He was also a scholar athlete and all- star football player at Burbank High School and Glendale Community College. He was known as a warm hearted young man who harnessed his popularity as a high school football MVP to shepherd young team mates to church. He is survived by his father, Craig; mother, Michele; stepmother, Yvonne; brothers, Nathan, Justin, Troy, Craig Jr.; his sister, Noelle; four step-siblings Ryan, Casie, Whitney, and Erick Burger; grandparents, Joyce and Bill Blentlinger, eight uncles, seven aunts, 25 cousins, and many loving friends. In addition to a memorial service which took place on Sunday, November 9th there will be a graveside service Tuesday at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, CA. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations for the service be sent to Forrest Lawn Hollywood Hills by calling 323-769- 7372 or Media City Church at 818-842-2186