The 2025 NFL draft was an exciting time for fans of football's future. It was also an entertaining time for drama-lovers, as the annual three-day event also featured its fair share of controversies — including one involving the Atlanta Falcons and one of their newest coaches.
Cleveland Browns fifth-round pick and quarterback prospect Shedeur Sanders received a prank call from someone imitating New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis during Day 2 of the draft. It only took a few days for the Falcons to confirm that the prankster is defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich's son, Jax, who admitted to the prank and has since apologized to Sanders.
"Shedeur, what I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful," the younger Ulbrich wrote on social media. "Thank you for accepting my call earlier today, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."
NFL Fines Falcons, DC Jeff Ulbrich for Shedeur Sanders Draft Day Prank
Although it's great to see Ulbrich's son owning up to his mistake, an internet apology wasn't enough to prevent the NFL from slapping the Falcons with a major fine.
"The NFL fined the Falcons $250,000 and DC Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 over the leak of Shedeur Sanders' phone number," NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday morning.
Prank call fallout: The NFL fined the #Falcons $250,000 and DC Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 over the leak of Shedeur Sanders’ phone number.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 30, 2025
Ulbrich’s son, Jax, took the number from Ulbrich’s iPad and used it to prank Sanders during the draft. Jax has apologized. pic.twitter.com/xrMd9WwGtJ
Even though a combined $350,000 in fines is a steep price to pay, the NFL's punishment is more than justified. Prospects' contact information is supposed to be kept private, and the fact that Ulbrich didn't do a better job of guarding that information — even though his son made the prank call — is inexcusable.
The Falcons confirmed that Jax grabbed Sanders' number while visiting his father. With Ulbrich's team iPad left open and unattended, his son viewed it as the perfect opportunity to jot down the digits for a draft-day prank. Obviously, the situation ultimately blew up in the younger Ulbrich's face, and he should be glad he didn't land his father in even hotter water.
It didn't take long for Atlanta's front office to address the league's punishment. While some organizations may have fought the fines, the Falcons are more than willing to accept what's deserved.
"(We) accept the discipline levied to Coach Jeff Ulbrich and the organization," the Falcons issued in their statement. "The Ulbrich family is working with the organization to participate in community service initiatives in relation to last week's matter."
Hopefully, a combination of the fine and community service will help the Ulbrich family and the Falcons learn from what transpired. The last thing Atlanta needs is any more distractions as it attempts to return to the NFL playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.