Lawyers for QB Chambliss sue NCAA in Mississippi court

lawyers are representing ole miss quarterback trinidad chamblis Sued the NCAA on Friday, asking a judge in Chancery Court in Lafayette County, Mississippi, for a preliminary and permanent injunction that would allow him to play another season for the Rebels.

The NCAA refused to grant Chambliss a waiver for his sixth year of eligibility on January 9, ruling that Ole Miss officials and Chambliss’ treating physician did not provide sufficient medical evidence showing he was suffering from a “disabling injury or illness”, which is required for approval of the waiver.

Chambliss claimed he struggled with persistent respiratory problems as a sophomore in Division II ferris state In 2022, that’s why he didn’t play that season.

“In Trinidad’s case, the NCAA failed in its mission to promote his well-being and development as a student-athlete,” the lawsuit states. “Mechanisms (i.e., waiver rules) to grant Trinidad an additional year of eligibility – so that he has the opportunity to compete in four years of college football – are available and under the control of the NCAA.

“Despite the duty of good faith and fair dealing owed to Trinidad, the NCAA insists on considering the evidence in Trinidad’s case in an isolated rather than comprehensive manner; interpreting its rules to enforce the requirements contained therein; taking unreasonable if not irrational positions; and acting in an arbitrary and capricious manner in its decision-making and adjudication.”

Ole Miss officials also filed an appeal with the NCAA.

In the lawsuit, Chambliss’s attorneys, Tom Mars and William Liston, argued that the NCAA is guilty of bad faith breach of contract with Ole Miss, of which Chambliss claims he is a beneficiary.

Liston is also the founder and general counsel of The Grove Collective, a group of Ole Miss athletes.

Mars previously told ESPN that Ole Miss officials provided 91 pages of medical records to the NCAA.

In a supporting letter, Chambliss’s doctor wrote that he suffered “recurrent throat infections, poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue and exercise-related airway discomfort” during the 2022-23 academic year.

In an exhibit attached to the lawsuit, Brett Knight, Ferris State’s assistant athletic director for sports medicine, wrote that Chambliss’s “combination of acute and chronic illness impeded Trinidad’s ability to consistently engage in athletic activities, including weight training, conditioning and football practice.”

Ferris State coach Tony Annessi also wrote in a statement that Chambliss was suffering from post-COVID 19 complications, including “heart palpitations and chest pain.”

“In addition, he suffered from chronic tonsillitis and adenoiditis, which had a severe impact on his breathing, sleep, and overall physical condition,” Anies wrote.

Chambliss has already signed to play for the Rebels in 2026. According to sources, his deal could be worth up to $6 million including incentives.

The case is different in that most of the lawsuits filed by players seeking an additional year of eligibility have been filed in federal courts and allege that the NCAA violated federal antitrust laws.

“We are not challenging the validity of any of the NCAA’s rules,” Mars told ESPN on Friday. “On the contrary, we are asking that they be applied as written based on the totality of the circumstances, as required by internal NCAA policy, without ignoring some evidence, without misinterpreting other evidence, and without using arbitrary and capricious interpretations of the language the NCAA uses to create the rules.”

after replacing the injured Austin Simmons In the third game of the season, Chambliss threw for 3,937 yards and 22 touchdowns, leading the No. 6 Rebels to the CFP semi-finals, where they lost to No. 10 Atlanta Braves. miami 31–27 in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 8.

Chambliss also rushed for 527 yards with eight scores, helping him finish eighth in Heisman Trophy voting. He was named SEC Newcomer of the Year.