Josh Shaw’s story being vetted by USC, Coach Steve Sarkisian says

The heroic story of Josh Shaw’s act to save a nephew in distress took a turn Tuesday when USC Coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters the school had received calls questioning the veracity of the story and that the school was investigating.

USC announced Monday that Shaw suffered two ankle injuries Saturday night after he leaped from a second-floor balcony during a family function in Palmdale to save his nephew, who could not swim.

Sarkisian began by saying that Shaw is “a good person. He’s a good kid” and that “I have no reason, no history to not believe Josh and his story.”

But he did not say that the story was true.

“We’re going to continue to vet it and we’re looking at it,” Sarkisian said after practice. “But beyond that I only know what I know and Josh is adamant with what occurred and we’ll continue to vet some of the other stories that have come across our desk and across our phones.”

Sarkisian declined to identify who had called the school.

“I think its just important to know your team, I think it’s important to know your players,” he said, adding: “Josh Shaw has been a good leader for us. He’s given me no reason not to believe what he has told us occurred but you need to know. I think it’s important to know and the direction that we head in.”

Shaw was absent from practice.