The National Football League (NFL) has levied significant fines against the Atlanta Falcons organization and its defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich. The penalties stem from an incident involving a prank phone call made to quarterback prospect Shedeur Sanders during the recent NFL draft.
Discipline Issued by the NFL
The Atlanta Falcons have been fined $250,000, while Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich received a separate fine of $100,000. The league announced these fines on Wednesday, holding the team and coach accountable for their connection to the disruptive call targeting Sanders during the draft process. The Ulbrich family will also reportedly engage in community service initiatives as part of the repercussions.
Details of the Prank Call
The incident in question took place on April 25, the second day of the NFL draft. Shedeur Sanders received a call from someone impersonating New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis. The caller falsely suggested that Sanders was about to be drafted by the Saints before revealing the call was a prank.
How the Incident Occurred
Reports from multiple outlets, including TMZ and KESQ, clarified the origin of the call. It was made by Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of Falcons Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. The younger Ulbrich stated he obtained Sanders’s contact information from his father’s iPad and subsequently provided the number to a friend. Jax Ulbrich was reportedly present with this unnamed friend while the prank call was being made, appearing in a video documenting the incident.
Falcons Organization Response
The Atlanta Falcons released statements addressing the situation. They confirmed that Jax Ulbrich was responsible for the call, having accessed contact information from his father’s device and sharing it. The team expressed appreciation for the NFL’s swift review and stated they were proactive in handling the matter internally and cooperated fully with the league investigation. The Falcons explicitly accepted the discipline imposed upon Coach Jeff Ulbrich and the organization.
Apology from Ulbrich’s Son
Jax Ulbrich publicly apologized for his actions, posting a statement on Instagram directed at Shedeur Sanders. He expressed deep regret for diminishing Sanders’s significant draft moment, describing his actions as “selfish and childish.” He acknowledged making a terrible mistake by interfering with such an important event in Sanders’s life and thanked Sanders for accepting a call from him later, expressing hope for forgiveness.
Shedeur Sanders’s Draft Experience
Shedeur Sanders, 23, was a prominent figure heading into the draft, recognized as the Big 12 offensive player of the year during his last season with the Buffaloes. Many draft analysts viewed him as a potential first-round selection, with some speculation placing him as high as the No. 3 overall pick. However, Sanders experienced a notable slide down the draft board, ultimately being selected by the Cleveland Browns as the 144th pick overall in the fifth round. His unexpected fall generated considerable discussion and attention during the draft.
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