Ole Miss’ Chambliss Sues NCAA Seeking Additional Year of Eligibility
Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in Lafayette County, seeking an additional year of eligibility. This legal action comes after the NCAA denied Ole Miss’ request for extra eligibility, stating that insufficient medical documentation was provided by both the university and Chambliss’ former school, Ferris State University.
Details of the Lawsuit
In his lawsuit, Chambliss argues that the NCAA’s denial was “bad-faith, unreasonable and arbitrary.” The suit highlights his medical history, supplemented with letters from physicians, to support his claim. According to the lawsuit, the NCAA has failed to consider the evidence comprehensively and has imposed unreasonable requirements not found in its rules.
Background on Trinidad Chambliss
- Trinidad Chambliss is 23 years old and has been in college for five years.
- He has only played three years of collegiate football due to medical conditions.
- Chambliss enrolled at Ferris State in the fall of 2021 but faced significant medical challenges.
- He took a redshirt during the 2021-22 season and did not play in his second season due to medical issues.
- Despite these challenges, he went on to lead Ferris State to a national championship before transferring to Ole Miss.
Performance at Ole Miss
During his time with Ole Miss, Chambliss has shown impressive statistics. In the latest season, he completed 294 of 445 passes, achieving a 66.1% completion rate. He accumulated 3,937 passing yards, with 22 touchdown passes and only three interceptions. Additionally, he rushed for 527 yards and scored eight touchdowns.
Rebels’ Season Highlights
Chambliss played a pivotal role in Ole Miss’ successful season, which ended with a record of 13-2. The Rebels made it to the College Football Playoff for the first time but were narrowly defeated by Miami in the semifinals on January 8.
NCAA’s Response to the Lawsuit
The NCAA has not released a new statement regarding the lawsuit but has referred to its previous assertion. A week ago, the organization emphasized that eligibility waivers require comprehensive medical documentation to support a request for an additional year. They noted that the documents provided by both Ole Miss and Ferris State were not sufficient, including claims that medical conditions during his time at Ferris State were not adequately documented.
Next Steps
Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter previously indicated that the university would appeal the NCAA’s ruling. The outcome of Chambliss’ lawsuit and the appeal could have significant implications for his future eligibility and career.
