In five days, USC’s Josh Shaw went from hero to zero. On Saturday, Shaw said he injured both ankles jumping out of a second story balcony to save his drowning nephew. By Tuesday his story began to unravel. And now, today, the whole thing has blown up in his face.
Shaw admits he faked the whole rescue story and as a result he’s been suspended by USC.
USC senior cornerback Josh Shaw came to USC athletic department officials this afternoon (Wednesday, Aug. 27) and admitted that he had lied about how he suffered his ankle injuries over the weekend.
He said that the story he told of rescuing his nephew in a pool in Palmdale, Calif., was a complete fabrication. He apologized for misleading his coaches, teammates, athletic department officials and the public.
“We are extremely disappointed in Josh,” said USC head football coach Steve Sarkisian. “He let us all down. As I have said, nothing in his background led us to doubt him when he told us of his injuries, nor did anything after our initial vetting of his story.
“I appreciate that Josh has now admitted that he lied and has apologized. Although this type of behavior is out of character for Josh, it is unacceptable. Honesty and integrity must be at the center of our program. I believe Josh will learn from this. I hope that he will not be defined by this incident, and that the Trojan Family will accept his apology and support him.”
Sarkisian said that Shaw has been suspended indefinitely from all team activities.
Shaw has retained Donald Etra as legal counsel. Etra will issue a statement on Shaw’s behalf soon.
So I’m confused, did his nephew drown? Is his nephew dead? Man, poor kid.
I give it until morning before we have a Josh Shaw story generator. Come on internet, don’t fail me now.
