Trojans DB Josh Shaw came up with a very elaborate lie earlier this season to explain injuries to both his legs. The story became national news immediately as everyone applauded Shaw for bravely rescuing his drowning 7-year old nephew. Shortly after several media outlets were reporting the story, people started to realize Shaw wasn’t being truthful. He is now breaking his silence about the situation as he sat down with LA Times reporter, Bill Plaschke.
“We just got into an argument just like every couple does,” Shaw said. “Was it loud? Yes. Was it overly loud? I don’t think so.”
Shaw remained in the apartment until he heard noise below his balcony. He walked outside to see police cars pulling up on the street. Shaw and Chilton adamantly deny the argument ever became physical — “I would never, ever hit a woman,” Shaw said — but he worried about appearances.
“We were not on good terms when she left, I thought she had somebody call authorities. I was thinking the worst,” he said. “If she did say anything, I’m a black man with dreadlocks, and with everything going on in the country at the time, all that stuff in St. Louis [Ferguson, Mo.] … in my mind, I’m going to leap from the balcony so authorities did not see me.”
Shaw is now admitting that the reason he went with the lie is because he thought both his legs were broken when he jumped from the balcony and just felt that it would be easier to go with the lie than to explain what happened between him and his girlfriend. In fact, he says if he knew it was just sprained, he probably wouldn’t have lied in the first place.
Of course, Shaw regrets lying, but he even admits that he was given ample opportunities to come clean. He also says that him and his girlfriend are still in a relationship.
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