The NCAA Has Once Again DENIED Trinidad Chambliss Waiver Appeal For His 6th Year of Eligibility
Tough beat for Trinidad Chambliss. Too bad he doesn't play basketball. While the NCAA gears up to roll out the red carpet for LeBron James to join the 2027 Duke Blue Devils (probably), there are finally some NCAA football players being denied the ability to play college football into their mid-20's.
People always make the same comments about these guys who attempt to push the limits of their eligibility. "Give it up dude", "Move on with your life", "Get a real job", etc. But I think it's crazy to blame these guys. These guy's have spent their entire lives focused on football. A guy like Parker Navarro, who most likely won't have a long NFL career, might never have a chance to make this type of money off his athletic ability ever again. It would be fiscally irresponsible for him to not try for it.
Although when it comes to the case of this T.J. Finley guy... who for reasons I don't understand was granted a 7th year of eligibility at his 7th different school.
T.J. Finley played for more teams in 7 years than Shaq did in his 19 year NBA career. And now he gets a 7th year at Incarnate Word? How much money can Incarnate Word be paying him? T.J. Finely might be the one case of a player who'd I'd advise to apply for a job at Enterprise Rent-A-Car instead.
In the case of Trinidad Chambliss, even though the NCAA has now denied his appeal for a 6th year of eligibility, his fight is not over. His Mississippi lawyers have filed for an injunction. People who believe Trinidad Chambliss is deserving of one more year (i.e. Ole Miss fans) will tell you that the NCAA denying his waiver is an egregious decision.
Trinidad Chambliss suffered respiratory issues in 2022. He had to get his tonsils removed. He played in only two games. Based on decisions the NCAA has made in the past when it comes to other players being granted an extra year, there's reason to believe they should have granted Trinidad Chambliss one as well. But even with his former school Ferris State testifying on his behalf, apparently that's not good enough for the NCAA.
The legal filing also includes testimony from former Ferris State Associate AD for Sports Medicine Brett Knight, Ferris State head football coach Tony Annese, and Dr. Anthony Howard, a licensed otolaryngologist who personally treated Chambliss. All three vouched for Chambliss to be granted an extra year of eligibility, noting that his battle with chronic tonsillitis, along with other medical complications, sidelined him in 2022.
For whatever reason, despite me generally cheering against players being able to play in college for 6+ years, I can't help but hope Trinidad Chambliss gets his wish. Probably because of Lane Kiffin. Ole Miss making another run at the National Championship with players who Lane Kiffin thought would follow him to LSU would be some damn good college football content. If Trinidad Chambliss ends up being able to play one more year, that September 19th game between LSU & Ole Miss… that's a game I'd very much like to see.