Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has publicly accepted responsibility for the prank call incident involving quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the 2025 NFL draft. The apology from Ulbrich comes as both he and the Falcons organization face significant financial penalties from the NFL.
The controversy began when Ulbrich’s 21-year-old son, Jax, obtained Sanders’ phone number from his father’s unsecured iPad. Jax then proceeded to make a fake call to Sanders during the draft, pretending to be from the New Orleans Saints and falsely informing Sanders that they would select him with their next pick.
Addressing the situation at a press conference held at the Falcons’ facility in Georgia, Ulbrich expressed his remorse for the incident. He publicly apologized to Shedeur and the Sanders family, as well as to Mr. Blank, Terry Fontenot, Raheem Morris, and the entire Falcons organization. Ulbrich acknowledged his failure to protect confidential data and condemned his son’s actions as inexcusable.
Shedeur Sanders, who was expected to be a first-round pick, was ultimately selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round on Day 3 of the draft. The prank call created confusion and disrupted what should have been a celebratory moment for Sanders.
In response to the incident, the NFL imposed fines totaling $350,000, with $100,000 directed at Jeff Ulbrich personally and $250,000 against the Falcons organization. The penalties were for failing to prevent the disclosure of confidential information related to the draft.
Ulbrich stated that he and his son would not appeal the league’s decision and accepted full responsibility for their actions. He expressed a commitment to demonstrating better behavior in the future.
The Sanders family responded graciously to Ulbrich’s apology, showing more understanding than expected in such a situation. Jax Ulbrich also issued an apology on Instagram, describing his actions as completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful.
The NFL is currently investigating other prank calls made to draft prospects, including Mason Graham and Tyler Warren, which are unrelated to the Sanders incident.
As the situation unfolds, Ulbrich’s public acceptance of responsibility and commitment to improvement stand as crucial steps in addressing the fallout from the prank call incident. The NFL’s disciplinary actions serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding confidentiality and integrity in the drafting process.
