USC's Josh Shaw injures ankles while jumping off balcony to save nephew

USC senior cornerback Josh Shaw injured both of his ankles when he leapt off a second-floor balcony on Saturday in an attempt to save his seven-year-old nephew, who was struggling in a pool without help nearby.

USCTrojans.com describedShaw's act in a blog post.

At a family gathering in his hometown of Palmdale, Calif., Shaw jumped and landed on concrete, suffering a high ankle sprain in both of his ankles, before crawling into the pool to save his nephew. Shaw then grasped the pool ladder and climbed out.

Josh Shaw Saves Drowning Nephew, Sidelined With High Ankle Sprains

"I would do it again for whatever kid it was, it did not have to be my nephew," Shaw said.  "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."

Shaw, a projected starter who was named a team captain over the weekend, will sit out indefinitely while rehabbing his ankles.

- Chris Johnson