Josh Shaw has admitted to making up the story behind why he has two high ankle sprains, though he has not disclosed the real reason.
In a statement on the USC Trojans' official website, the senior cornerback spoke for the first time since the incident. He admitted that he did not leap from a second-story balcony to save his nephew from drowning, an instinctive reaction he said that left him with two high ankle sprains.
For lying, USC head football coach Steve Sarkisian suspended Shaw from all team activities indefinitely.
"We are extremely disappointed in Josh," Sarkisian said in the statement. "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."
A newly minted team captain, Shaw originally told his story to the Trojans' athletic department website, but Sarkisian said the school was getting calls disputing Shaw's version of events. In fact, Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Andy Neiman told the Associated Press a man named Joshua Shaw was mentioned in a break-in report, though not as a suspect.
Falling may have been the one truthful aspect of Shaw's story, as he released a statement through his attorney, Donald Etra, ESPN reported. In it, he said he suffered his ankle injuries, which are not season-endingly bad, "in a fall."
"I made up a story about this fall that was untrue," Shaw said in the statement. "I was wrong not to tell the truth. I apologize to USC for this action on my part. My USC coaches, The USC Athletic Department, and especially coach Sarkisian have all been supportive of me during my college career and for that, I am very grateful."
Shaw's injuries may not have kept him out all season and his suspension may not either, especially since he reportedly stole nothing and is not a suspect in the break-in. But now it appears he will miss time after his ankles heal, whenever that may be.
"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," Sarkisian said. "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."
