The NFL has fined Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 after his son used an official NFL contact phone number to prank call Shedeur Sanders on Draft day last week.
Last weekend, during the NFL Draft, Ulbrich’s son, 21-year-old Jax, managed to get hold of Sanders’ private phone number, which was only supposed to be used by team officials and NFL bigwigs. Jax reportedly got the number off his father’s iPad.
Jax then gave the number to a friend who pranked Sanders and pretended to represent the New Orleans Saints.
Sanders was then being passed over in round after round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he was clearly on pins and needles over the repeated snubs. The Cleveland Browns finally drafted him in the fifth round.
Now, the league has announced that Ulbrich and his team are being fined. The Falcons were fined $250,000 for misusing Sanders’ private phone number, and Ulbrich received a $100,000 fine.
The Falcons said in a statement: “We appreciate the NFL’s swift and thorough review of last week’s data exposure and the event that transpired due to it. We were proactive in addressing the situation internally and cooperated fully with the league throughout the process, and accept the discipline levied to Coach Jeff Ulbrich and the organization. We are confident in our security policies and practices and will continue to emphasize adherence to them with our staff, whether on or off premises.”
The Falcons continued, saying, “the Ulbrich family is working with the organization to participate in community service initiatives in relation to last week’s matter.”
Jax has also released an apology statement.
“I’m so sorry I took away from your moment, it was selfish and childish,” he wrote on Instagram. “I could never imagine getting ready to celebrate one of the greatest moments of your life, and I made a terrible mistake and messed with that moment. Thank you for accepting my call earlier today. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
For his part, Sanders insisted that the prank didn’t faze him.
“It didn’t really have an impact on me,” Sanders said, “because it was just like, I mean, OK, like I don’t feed into negativity, or I don’t feed into that stuff. You’ve seen on Deion [Sanders] Jr.’s YouTube video my reaction to it, I don’t — it is what it is. I think, of course, it is childish. Of course, I feel like it was a childish act, but everybody does childish things here and there.”
There was much chatter about the fine on social media, with many saying the fine was excessive, while others agreed with the punishment.
It was a prank call. A crimeless prank. People are so extremely soft
— Kevin (@DunnKevin2) April 30, 2025
I thought this was a lot but his net worth is 10 million. But still, sheesh. There goes his son’s wedding contribution.
— Stace (@staceeeeeea) April 30, 2025
No. however, if his kid had stabbed someone to death, he’d have a couple hundred grand to pay it 🤓
— PenitentThief (@ThiefPenitent) April 30, 2025
NFLs just being soft because they pushed the narrative Shedeur was worth a first rounder when he’s not. NFL media created this situation
— ChuckyPride (@chucky_pride) April 30, 2025
But others felt it was the right way to go:
Yes. You can’t leave people’s PII out like that. Your son shouldn’t have access to your team’s electronic devices. This is a HR nightmare. Anyone else would’ve been fired
— iwake up wavy, baby(WE TALK HAWKS TV) (@ToneGully) April 30, 2025
Yes. The number he had was an organizations confidential information. He didn’t ensure it stayed confidential. In most cases this would lead to a suspension without pay or termination. So a fine seems appropriate.
— Davidadee (@DavidDee1848989) April 30, 2025
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