USC cornerback Josh Shaw is a true hero in life. The senior risked his life to safe a nephew that was drowning during what the official USC website indicates was a social family function. And the details of the incident are mind blowing (via USCTrojans.com).Â
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.
Risking your well-being in order to save someone else from what would have been certain death. This is a story that reminds us so much of former Kansas City Chiefs running back Joe Delaney, who gave up his life in an attempt to rescue three children from drowning in a pond back in 1983.
For Shaw, this heroic act wasn’t about saving a family member.
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.
Let’s hope Shaw is able to quickly recover from the injuries he suffered saving this young kid and sees the field at some point this upcoming football season.
Photo: USCTrojans.com