In a bizarre twist during the NFL draft, Shedeur Sanders, one of this year’s most anticipated prospects, became the target of a misguided prank call. As he was anxiously awaiting the announcement of which team would select him, he received what he believed to be a legitimate call from the New Orleans Saints’ general manager. Unfortunately for Sanders, the excitement quickly turned to confusion when the call turned out to be a prank orchestrated by Jax Ulbrich, the son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
Jax, recognizing the gravity of his actions, took to Instagram to apologize publicly, expressing regret for his “tremendous mistake.” His emotional post conveyed a sincere acknowledgment of how the prank potentially stole a moment of joy from Sanders. “What I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful,” he wrote, adding, “I could never imagine getting ready to celebrate one of the greatest moments of your life and I made a terrible mistake.” His heartfelt message aimed not only to express sorrow but also to seek forgiveness from Sanders.
Despite the prank’s absurdity, it sparked conversations across social media, reflecting on the sometimes chaotic atmosphere surrounding the draft. The incident was caught on video and initially shared by Well Off Media, revealing a moment of joy that quickly spiraled into confusion as the impersonator, pretending to be the Saints’ GM Mickey Loomis, informed Sanders about a delayed selection. “But you’re going to have to wait a little longer, man. Sorry about that,” Ulbrich said before abruptly hanging up, leaving Sanders and his family puzzled.
The situation unfortunately unfolded under unusual circumstances; Sanders had previously encountered some challenges, and a prank call was an unwelcome twist. Adding to the complexity, the NFL had issued certain protocols regarding the privacy of draft contact information, creating further intrigue about how the prankster obtained Sanders’ direct line. The Falcons later clarified that Jax had stumbled upon Sanders’ number while visiting his parents’ home and thus had no ill intent in his decision to prank call.
With the dust beginning to settle, both players impacted by this drama weighed in on the prank. While Shedeur tried to downplay the incident, characterizing it as merely childish antics, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was less reserved in his critique, remarking that “people are morons” for engaging in such behavior. This sentiment echoed through the room, as he acknowledged the stress young players face during the draft process.
In the wake of the incident, the NFL is now investigating other reports of prank calls directed at draft hopefuls, indicating a need for heightened awareness and safeguarding measures. As for the Falcons, they’ve committed to cooperating with league inquiries while reviewing their internal protocols to prevent any such mishaps in the future.
Sanders, who eventually joined the Cleveland Browns as the 144th overall pick, has yet to issue a detailed response to the prank, but the conversation surrounding the incident is sure to resonate through his rookie season and beyond. It’s a reminder of the pressures and unpredictability surrounding the NFL draft, where joy and confusion can collide in unexpected ways.
