The fallout from an alleged act of heroism continues, with additional details slowly beginning to emerge.
Citing a source within the USC athletic department, USA Today‘s David Leon Moore is reporting “that a number of department officials spoke to [Josh] Shaw about his rescue story and expressed skepticism about it.” Shaw recently suffered what’s described as a pair of high-ankle sprain, which he told the school he incurred after jumping from a second-floor balcony to save his seven-year-old nephew from drowning.
The news surfaced thanks to the football program’s official website touting the act of bravery with a splashy headline and story below it. If there was doubt as to the veracity of Shaw’s story, why would a website affiliated with the school play up such a version when they knew it would go national and become huge news?
This report comes less than a day after multiple reports coming out of Los Angeles have established that a “Josh Shaw” could be wanted for potential questioning in connection to a possible break-in at an apartment a few miles from campus. It has not been determined that the Shaw in question is USC’s Shaw, although witness descriptions seem to fit.
Following practice Wednesday, head coach Steve Sarkisian again addressed the situation. After originally saying that the program was in the process of vetting Shaw’s story, Sarkisian now says he’s handed off that responsibility. From the Los Angeles Times:“It’s pretty clear there’s quite a few conflicting stories out there. Any information that we’ve been provided up to this point we’ve pushed along to campus authorities. We’re really going to let it play out in their hands. And quite honestly we’re in somewhat of a holding pattern so that’s where we’re at.”
When asked if he meant administrative officials or legal officials on campus, Sarkisian said, “Everything above me. In this day and age of college football and head coaches responsibility, I’d be foolish not to push everything up the ladder. And you know, I think we learned that a few years ago with a couple other high-profile coaches, so everything I’ve ever done when things come across my desk is to push them to campus authorities and let them do their due diligence. Then when things come back to me I can comment on them. But until then I don’t really have much to say on it.”
For the first time since the events unfolded, Trojan players were permitted to speak to the media. Or, more specifically, defensive players Leonard Williams and Hayes Pullard. Both players said they have not yet spoken to their beleaguered teammate, with the former stating that the team is “shocked” over the developments.
“All the players were just running into each other just asking what’s going on with the story, if its real or not, that’s all we really know. We were pretty shocked because Josh Shaw is a pretty loyal guy since he’s been here. I would never expect him to make up a story or something like that. So if it’s real or not ... I would never expect him as a captain to be in that situation.”
Football-wise, Shaw, a starter, will be sidelined indefinitely because of the injuries he incurred... however he incurred them.