USC defensive back Josh Shaw is out indefinitely as he recovers from injuries sustained when he rescued his 7-year-old nephew from drowning Saturday night.
Shaw leaped from a second-story balcony while at a family party in his hometown of Palmdale, Calif., and pulled his cousin, who cannot swim, out of a pool, according to USC. The senior suffered two high-ankle sprains in the process but said he does not regret taking action.
“I would do it again for whatever kid it was, it did not have to be my nephew,” Shaw said Monday, via USCTrojans.com. “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, who has racked up 97 tackles and six interceptions since transferring from Florida after his freshman season, had been named a team captain earlier in the day Saturday.
“That was a heroic act by Josh, putting his personal safety aside,” Trojans head 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.”
The Trojans open their season Saturday against Fresno State.
UPDATE (2:15 p.m.): Some doubts have emerged about the veracity of Shaw’s story. Sarkisian told reporters Tuesday that his office has received several phone calls regarding the situation and is in the process of vetting them.
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Photo via Twitter/@KTLA
