A student is said to have broken both ankles jumping onto the field to celebrate San Diego State’s 20-17 win against Stanford on Saturday night, and a friend has set up a GoFundMe page to help defray medical costs.

“Whether you feel sorry for him, are proud of him or just outright support what he did for (SDSU),” the plea for Matthew Nesbitt, 25, says, “anything will help and go directly to him and his family in their time of need.”

Nesbitt’s Facebook page indicates he is a Grossmont College student from Santee and works for a company that sells bus repair parts.

Photos and video posted on the site show a man hanging from the railing of San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium’s Plaza section above one end zone. The man then releases his hands and drops from the 19-foot wall, landing on both feet before crumbling to the ground.


According to the post, Nesbitt initially got to his feet and joined fellow students who had rushed the field to celebrate SDSU’s last-minute victory against No. 19-ranked Stanford.

“Matthew drops to one knee and lets out one final battle cry of “I believe that we will win,’ before his body gives out and he collapses among his Aztec brothers,” the post says. “He will forever remain a legend in the heart of all true Aztec fans. But as glory is forever, so are medical bills. Matt needs your help. Will you be a lion for him like he was for you?”

The post says Nesbitt spent two nights in a hospital and “is looking at six weeks of recovery wheelchair-bound … not to mention possible surgery and a pricey physical therapy.”


An accompanying photo showed Nesbitt in a hospital bed with casts on both legs. He was not immediately available for comment.

There is no definitive indication whether Nesbitt was inebriated, although the post from friend Taurus Courtney says, recounting the moment he jumped: “He looks up at me with through beer-stained eyes. ‘This is my destiny,’ he yells as he hangs from the cold metal railing.”

Jasmine Madarang, an SDSU student who was seen at a pre-game tailgate party at the stadium, was struck by a car and killed Saturday night about 8 p.m. while trying to cross Interstate 8 near Waring Road. Kickoff for the game was 7:30 p.m. A GoFundMe page has also been set up in her name.


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mark.zeigler@sduniontribune.com; kirk.kenney@sduniontribune.com