Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has filed a lawsuit in Mississippi in an attempt to gain a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA.
College sports’ governing body recently denied the school’s request to grant Chambliss a medical hardship waiver, saying the quarterback’s previous school, Ferris State, did not provide enough supporting evidence for the claim.
In suing the NCAA on Friday in Mississippi, Chambliss’ attorneys said the denial was done in ‘bad faith,’ adding that that it was ‘unreasonable and arbitrary.’ They contend that, although Chambliss has participated in the maximum of five total seasons, he’s really only been active in three of those due to a series of illnesses.
The filing, obtained by the Daily Mail, goes on to provide a list of the health issues Chambliss battled in high school and at his first college, Division II Ferris State in Michigan. The problems began with Epstein–Barr virus, which led to mononucleosis and that was later complicated by an extended bout with COVID-19 in 2020, according to the lawsuit.
Chambliss continued to face tonsil infections at Ferris State, according to Dr. Anthony Howard, an otolaryngologist working in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
‘His chronic tonsillitis represents a medically valid basis for hardship consideration as his condition rendered him incapacitated and unable to participate in the 2022 season,’ Howard wrote in the lawsuit.
Chambliss led Ole Miss to an impressive season and a CFP berth after transferring
The NCAA has not responded directly to the lawsuit, but has referred media to its previous ruling, denying Chambliss eligibility for 2027.
‘This decision aligns with consistent application of NCAA rules,’ the statement read.
‘The documents provided by Ole Miss and the student’s prior school include a physician’s note from a December 2022 visit, which stated the student-athlete was “doing very well” since he was seen in August 2022.
‘Additionally, the student-athlete’s prior school indicated it had no documentation on medical treatment, injury reports or medical conditions involving the student-athlete during that time frame and cited ‘developmental needs and our team’s competitive circumstances’ as its reason the student-athlete did not play in the 2022-23 season.’
Ole Miss will be appealing the NCAA’s decision, according to athletic director Keith Carter.
