Rare News Desk
UPDATE From USA Today:
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USC coach Steve Sarkisian said Tuesday that he’s received several calls questioning the validity of cornerback Josh Shaw’s story describing how he sustained two high ankle sprains over the weekend. The school is vetting the tale.
Shaw told USC’s athletics web site that he injured himself jumping from a second-floor apartment balcony to the concrete below to rescue his seven-year-old nephew, who “cannot swim” and was in a pool “in distress without help nearby” on Saturday. Shaw said he rescued his nephew, who was traumatized by the experience.
Now, USC is investigating the authenticity of the story.
“I’m going to refrain from talking about the situation itself,” Sarkisian said on Tuesday’s Pac-12 coaches’ teleconference. “I will say that Josh had never given us any indication not to believe his story. He’s been a kid of very high character for us, a team leader, elected team captain. I had no reason not to believe him.
“Now, we did receive some calls that question the validity of his story. We’re vetting. We’re doing our due diligence on that as we speak.”
A woman who identified herself as Shaw’s older sister and the mother of the 7-year-old boy said the USC football player allegedly saved from drowning called reports that Shaw was actually injured during a burglary “speculation.”
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California senior cornerback Josh Shaw injured both ankles after leaping from a second-story balcony to save his 7-year-old nephew, Carter, from drowning in a pool.
Shaw was named a team captain on Saturday and later that night was attending a family function at a cousin’s apartment in his hometown of Palmdale when he saw his nephew, who can’t swim, struggling in the pool.
With no one around, Shaw told USC’s website that he instinctively jumped from the balcony onto the concrete below and crawled to the pool, where he pulled Carter to safety.
Unable to step out of the pool because of the pain in his ankles, Shaw lifted himself up the ladder with his upper body. “I would do it again for whatever kid it was, it did not have to be my nephew,” Shaw told the team website. “My ankles really hurt, but I am lucky to be surrounded by the best trainers and doctors in the world. I am taking my rehab one day at a time, and I hope to be back on the field as soon as possible.”
Shaw was taken to the hospital where he was diagnosed with two high ankle sprains and will be out indefinitely. He said Carter was traumatized, but physically in good shape.
“That was a heroic act by Josh, putting his personal safety aside,” Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian said. “But that’s the kind of person he is. It is unfortunate that he’ll be sidelined for a while and we will miss his leadership and play, but I know he’ll be working hard to get back on the field as soon as possible.”
