In an unfortunate turn of events, the NFL has taken decisive action following the prank phone call incident involving Shedeur Sanders, recently drafted by the Cleveland Browns. On the second night of the NFL Draft, Sanders found himself at the center of an ill-timed prank orchestrated by two individuals who decided it would be entertaining to mock the University of Colorado standout for not being selected yet.
The Atlanta Falcons have confirmed that the prank can be traced back to Jax Ulbrich, the son of their new defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich. In a move that stirred up controversy, the young Ulbrich shared Sanders’ personal number, resulting in a regrettable phone call during what should have been a moment of celebration for the new draftee.
In response to the incident, the NFL announced on Wednesday that it would impose fines on both the Falcons organization and Jeff Ulbrich himself. The team will incur a fine of $250,000, while Ulbrich faces a personal fine of $100,000. The league cited these penalties as a necessary measure for “failing to prevent the disclosure of confidential information,” which led directly to the unwanted phone call to Sanders.
Jeff Ulbrich’s hire had come just this offseason, following his previous roles as defensive coordinator and interim head coach for the New York Jets. Now, he finds himself under intense scrutiny—not just from the league, but likely from his own household as well, after his son accepted responsibility for the prank on Sunday.
In a heartfelt public apology, Jax Ulbrich expressed his remorse: “On Friday night I made a tremendous mistake. [Shedeur], what I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful. I’m so sorry I took away from your moment; it was selfish and childish.” The sincerity of his words underscores the gravity of the situation, especially when reflecting on the magnitude of the draft experience for aspiring athletes like Sanders.
Reports suggest that other draft prospects also encountered prank calls during the event, yet the attention for this particular incident is amplified due to the connection with a league employee’s family. As for the Falcons, the fine they received should serve as a wake-up call about the importance of safeguarding confidential information related to players—something that ideally should not need reiterating at this level.
Moving forward, the hope is that the Falcons will exercise greater discretion and the Ulbrich family can navigate this challenging moment with lessons learned. For Sanders, the focus now shifts back onto what truly matters—his upcoming career in the NFL, where countless opportunities await.
