Trinidad Chambliss’ waiver request for a sixth year of NCAA eligibility was denied by the athletics eligibility subcommittee on Tuesday night.
Attorneys for Chambliss — who requested a medical redshirt after he did not play during his second season at Division II Ferris State — have already filed for an injunction in Mississippi. It’s expected to be heard in court on Feb. 12.
The latest decision by the NCAA upholds an initial denial it handed down on Jan. 9.
ESPN first reported the news.
In a statement following the decision, Ole Miss lambasted the NCAA.
“The NCAA Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee’s decision to deny Trinidad’s appeal is indefensible in light of the undisputed facts,” the statement read. “The NCAA staff and the subcommittee asserted that Trinidad was not denied the opportunity to compete during the 2022 season, despite the reality that he did not dress for a single game while suffering from severe, incapacitating medical conditions. Those conditions were fully and contemporaneously documented by his treating physician, yet this waiver request was still denied when it should have been approved at the NCAA staff level.
“Trinidad’s representatives will continue to pursue all available legal remedies, and we will publicly stand behind Trinidad while holding the NCAA accountable for a decision that fails to align with its own rules, precedent, and the documented medical record.”
Chambliss, while at Ferris State, was affected by illness and respiratory problems that prevented him from playing, according to the lawsuit his legal team filed.
Attorneys Tom Mars and William Liston are leading the legal charge for Chambliss and the decision on Chambliss’ permanent injunction against the NCAA could be a long legal process.
Chambliss had an impressive year at Ole Miss with 3,937 passing yards with 22 touchdowns against three interceptions.
