Reports: Story of USC’s Josh Shaw’s Heroism Questioned

There’s a story currently circulating out of the University of Southern California that appears to have more twists and turns than a typical soap opera.

Over the weekend, USC football cornerback Josh Shaw was being considered a hero after rescuing his 7-year-old nephew from a swimming pool. By Tuesday, Shaw’s account of what happened is being questioned.

Here’s what we know so far – Shaw, a fifth-year senior, was attending a family function Saturday at a Palmdale apartment. Shaw allegedly suffered two high-ankle sprains after leaping from a second-story balcony to help his nephew out of the pool because the boy could not swim.

According to the L.A. Times, Southern California coach Steve Sarkisian says USC has since received several calls contradicting Shaw’s story and that the school was investigating. Also, X-rays and MRI exams on Shaw’s ankles all showed no structural damage.

Sarkisian did not say Shaw’s story was true or false, but did say:

I only know what I know, and Josh is adamant with what occurred and we’ll continue to vet some of the other stories that have come across our desk and across our phones.”

To add to the confusion, the Los Angeles Police Department said Shaw’s name came up in a report filed by officers. The officers were responding to a call about a woman heard screaming in an apartment complex. Witnesses reported seeing a man scampering across third-floor balconies and provided a general description of the man. One female witness allegedly stated the description sounded like Shaw.

Shaw will not play for USC this coming weekend, and is considered out indefinitely. The 15th-ranked Trojans open their season Saturday against Fresno State.