The NFL has hit the Atlanta Falcons with a hefty fine of $250,000, along with a $100,000 penalty for defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, following a security lapse that allowed Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders to become the target of a prank phone call during the NFL Draft.
The incident came to light when Ulbrich’s 21-year-old son, Jax, stumbled upon his father’s iPad—which contained a list of contact numbers distributed by the league. Along with some friends, Jax decided to prank-call Sanders and shared the experience on social media, leading to significant backlash. Both Jax and the Falcons have since released public apologies.
But this isn’t just a slip-up for Atlanta; it’s becoming a trend. Reports indicate that the league is delving into other prank calls made during draft week, as several prospects have alleged similar incidents.
This marks the second straight offseason that the Falcons have faced disciplinary actions from the NFL. Just last year, they were penalized and stripped of a draft pick for tampering violations involving quarterback Kirk Cousins among others.
As for Jeff Ulbrich, he’s no stranger to the NFL landscape. The 47-year-old was a third-round draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers back in 2000, where he spent a decade honing his skills on the field before transitioning into coaching. Ulbrich kicked off his coaching journey with the Seahawks as an assistant special teams coach and joined the Falcons in 2015, earning a promotion to interim defensive coordinator in 2020. He later spent time as the defensive coordinator for the Jets, where he helped elevate their defense.
Upon returning to the Falcons this offseason as their defensive coordinator, Ulbrich aims to steer the team’s defense with renewed vigor, especially as they navigate a critical season ahead following their recent setbacks.
As the league continues its investigation into prank calls, the Falcons will be looking to put this distraction behind them and focus on performance on the field, a challenge that not only tests their talent but also their resilience as a franchise.
