Update 6:56 p.m. USC football captain Josh Captain now says he made it all up, according to ESPN.com. That story about saving his drowning nephew by jumping out a second story window is just that; a story. There's no explanation for what the young man was thinking in telling this tale, or how he really injured both his ankles which are legitimately sprained.
Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian told ESPN this is totally out of character for the senior cornerback. The player, who had just been elected captain of the team, has now been suspended indefinitely and has hired an attorney.
Earlier
The University of Southern California is looking into claims that its Trojans football captain lied about injuring his ankles by leaping from a balcony to save his drowning nephew, coach Steve Sarkisian has confirmed, according to the Associated Press.
According to the coach, the university received several calls discrediting Josh Shaw's account as to how he sprained his ankles, an injury that will leave him sidelined for at least part of the upcoming season.
"We're looking at it," Sarkisian told AP Tuesday. "Josh is adamant with what occurred, and we'll continue to vet some of the other stories that have come across our desk or across our phones, and see where we can go from there."
Sarkisian did admit to being curious as to how exactly the injuries were sustained.
"I think it's important to know your players," Sarkisian said. "Josh Shaw has been a good leader for us. He's given me no reason not to believe what he has told us that occurred, but we do need to know. I think it's important to know in the direction we're headed."
According to the AP report, a Los Angeles police report detailed a Saturday night break-in at a downtown apartment, in which a "Joshua Shaw" was referenced, although not as a suspect.
The senior had said that at the time he injured his ankles, he was at a family gathering in Palmdale, Calif.
"There is a mention of a Joshua Shaw in this report, but not in terms of him being a suspect," LAPD Lt. Andy Neiman said. "To make any link at this point would be premature."
Read more at ESPN.com.
Read more at the Associated Press.