LOS ANGELES, Calif — USC senior cornerback Josh Shaw was suspended Wednesday after admitting that he concocted a story about rescuing his nephew from drowning to explain injuries to his ankles, the university’s sports spokesman said.
KTLA reportsthat the story was a “complete fabrication,” Shaw told USC athletic department officials Wednesday, according to a statement from USC Sports Information Director Tim Tessalone.
Shaw apologized for misleading the team, coaches and the public, according to Tessalone.
“We are extremely disappointed in Josh,” said USC head football coach Steve Sarkisian. “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.”
Shaw has been suspended indefinitely from all team activities, according to the statement.
The player has hired an attorney, Donald Etra, who was expected to issue a statement on Shaw’s behalf.
The university said it regretted posting the story on Monday.
