USC defensive back Josh Shaw is recovering from his injuries after jumping from a second-floor balcony window at a family party Saturday night to save his drowning 7-year-old nephew, according to the Trojans.


From USC's site:

While attending a family social function at his cousin's apartment in his hometown of Palmdale, Shaw looked on from a second floor balcony to the pool below and saw his 7-year-old nephew, who cannot swim, in distress without help nearby. Shaw instinctively leaped off the balcony, landing painfully on the concrete below. He was able to crawl into the pool and ushered his nephew to safety. Despite the intense pain in his legs, he was then able to grab the ladder and lift himself out of the pool with his upper body.


Shaw somehow managed not to break both of his legs in the fall, but he has two high ankle sprains that will sideline him indefinitely. His nephew survived.

"I would do it again for whatever kid it was, it did not have to be my nephew," Shaw said today. "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."

Update: Head coach Steve Sarkisian is now investigating Shaw's story. Sarkisian said Tuesday that he received phone calls contradicting Shaw's account.

Update #2: According to USC, Shaw admitted that his story was fabricated.

Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images Sport