LOS ANGELES // In a story that sounds too incredible to be true, even in Hollywood, University of Southern California cornerback Josh Shaw injured both ankles over the weekend after leaping from a second-story balcony to save his seven-year-old nephew from drowning in a swimming pool.
So says Shaw, anyway.
The entire episode is now in serious dispute, his self-professed heroism in doubt.
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, Carter, who cannot swim, struggling in the pool.
With no one around, Shaw jumped from the balcony onto the concrete below and crawled to the pool, where he pulled Carter to safety, he said. 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 school website. “My ankles really hurt, but I am lucky to be surrounded by the best trainers and doctors in the world.”
Shaw was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with two high ankle sprains, and will be out indefinitely. He said Carter was traumatised, but physically in good shape.
No sooner did the story become public, however, than did other versions of the event surface.
In fact, the school said it is investigating claims that there was no family party and no rescue.
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