USC cornerback Josh Shaw, who was suspended after fabricating a story about how he injured his ankles then became the subject of a domestic violence investigation, was reinstated to the football team Tuesday.
Prosecutors recently declined to file any charges against Shaw stemming from the alleged confrontation with his girlfriend.
USC Athletic Director Pat Haden said USC also conducted its own investigation of Shaw.
“Based on these investigations and their conclusions, and the 10-game suspension Josh has served for code of conduct violations, we have made the decision to reinstate him,” Haden said. “The role Josh will have in any remaining games is now in the hands of Coach (Steve) Sarkisian.”
Sarkisian left it unclear whether Shaw would play in this weekend’s rivalry game against UCLA.
“I’ve welcomed Josh Shaw back to the team,” Sarkisian said. “I’m now in the process of evaluating how Josh can contribute to the team’s success.”
Shaw was suspended after he admitted fabricating a story about injuring his ankles by leaping from a second-floor balcony to save his 7-year-old nephew from a swimming pool.
Shaw was actually “involved in a heated argument” with his girlfriend at her apartment near the campus, and Shaw walked outside on a balcony to calm down, according to a charge-evaluation sheet from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Shaw panicked when he saw officers approaching and climbed over the balcony railing and dropped 20 feet, according to the document. Shaw’s girlfriend, who first lied to police about her whereabouts, denied any physical or sexual assault.
— City News Service