Josh Shaw Out Indefinitely After Injury Sustained While Saving Drowning Nephew

Never question the character of USC football cornerback Josh Shaw.

On the verge of what should have been a monster season, the fifth-year senior, is now out indefinitely after injuring both of his ankles while committing a selfless, heroic act.

According to USC Athletics, Josh Shaw has a pair of high-ankle sprains after he leaped from a two-story balcony to concrete below. Shaw made the dramatic jump instinctively after seeing his 7-year-old nephew, who cannot swim, struggling in the water of an apartment pool below.

Shaw absorbed the sprains in both ankles, but crawled to the pool and saved his nephew from drowning. With his nephew shaken, but okay, Shaw pulled himself out of the water and was later taken to the hospital. There he was diagnosed with the high-ankle sprain injuries.

"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."

Said head coach Steve Sarkisian: "That was a heroic act by Josh, putting his personal safety aside. But that's the kind of person he is. It is unfortunate that he'll be sidelined for a while and we will miss his leadership and play, but I know he'll be working hard to get back on the field as soon as possible."

With Shaw out indefinitely, the Trojans will turn to redshirt freshman Chris Hawkins to start opposite of Kevon Seymour. Freshman Adoree' Jackson will also likely see plenty of action at the cornerback position if the Trojans choose to rotate players.

It had been probable that Hawkins would have seen time in the nickel formation, but that plan could now feature one of the starting safeties, likely Su'a Cravens with Gerald Bowman and Leon McQuay III staying deep, moving down to the nickel corner position.

Please keep Josh Shaw and his family in your thoughts and prayers. We wish him a speedy and full recovery.

UPDATE:

A great find by Neon Tommy Sports Twitter account. Here's Josh Shaw speaking during the Spring at USC's student-athlete graduation about his college journey from Florida to coming back to Southern California to help out his family.

"I share my path to USC with you today to let you know that life doesn't always work out the way you planned. When perhaps you are met with challenges my fellow graduates, don't give up. Never accept no for an answer...for we are Trojans.