Josh Shaw issues statement after lying to USC about injury

USC Trojans cornerback Josh Shaw admitted to USC Trojans officials that the story of injuring himself after jumping off of a balcony to save his drowning nephew was completely fabricated.

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After USC learned they were duped, head coach Steve Sarkisan issued a statement expressing his disappointment in the starting cornerback.

“We are extremely disappointed in Josh,” Sarkisian said in the statement. “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.

“I appreciate that Josh has now admitted that he lied and has apologized. Although this type of behavior is out of character for Josh, it is unacceptable. Honesty and integrity must be at the center of our program. I believe Josh will learn from this. I hope that he will not be defined by this incident, and that the Trojan Family will accept his apology and support him.”

Shaw has since released a statement of his own.

"“On Saturday, August 23, 2014, I injured myself in a fall. I made up a story about this fall that was untrue. I was wrong to not tell the truth. I apologize to USC for this action on my part.“My USC coaches, the USC Athletic Department, and especially coach Sarkisian have all been supportive of me during my college career and for that, I am very grateful.”"

USC has apologized for publishing the initial story and Shaw has been suspended indefinitely.

Shaw has apologized to his coaches, teammates, athletic department officials and the public for making up the troubling lie. Shaw has also sought Donald Etra as legal counsel.