Shedeur Sanders Prank Call: NFL Fines, Jax Ulbrich, Draft Fallout
A prank call by a coordinator’s son during the 2025 NFL Draft triggered $350,000 in fines against the Falcons and exposed a security breach that forced the league to tighten prospect data rules. Shedeur Sanders was the target, and the fallout reshaped how teams handle contact information.
Falcons fine: $250,000 ·
DC Jeff Ulbrich fine: $100,000 ·
Perpetrator age: Underage son of coordinator ·
Team offering support: Atlanta Falcons
Quick snapshot
- Jax Ulbrich admitted to the prank call and apologized (NFL.com)
- NFL fined the Falcons $250,000 and Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 (Bleacher Report)
- Falcons offered support to both Sanders and the Ulbrich family (ESPN)
- Shedeur Sanders was selected on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft (NFL.com)
- Full extent of Shedeur Sanders’ reaction beyond public statements (ESPN)
- Whether the prank call directly affected his draft stock (NFL.com)
- Specific wording of Sanders’ pre-draft warning message to teams (YouTube)
- Whether the NFL’s new single-contact rule will be extended to future drafts (policy announced) (ESPN)
- Late April 2025: Prank call made during NFL Draft weekend (NFL.com)
- Shedeur Sanders begins rookie season with Cleveland Browns (NFL.com)
- NFL limits 2026 draft prospect phone number access to one contact per club (Bleacher Report)
Six key facts tell the story at a glance:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Falcons fine amount | $250,000 |
| Jeff Ulbrich personal fine | $100,000 |
| Perpetrator | Jax Ulbrich, son of Jeff Ulbrich |
| Victim | Shedeur Sanders, QB drafted by Cleveland Browns |
| Draft round selected | Day 3 (4th round) |
| Team response | Falcons offered support to Sanders and Ulbrich family |
What Did Shedeur Sanders Say Before the Draft?
- Shedeur Sanders sent a warning message to NFL teams ahead of the 2025 draft, expressing confidence and high expectations (ESPN).
- He told reporters he expected to be picked earlier than he ultimately fell, but didn’t dwell on the prank call afterward (NFL.com).
Pre-draft warning message to NFL teams
In a conference call, Sanders made clear he wanted a team that believed in him. He later said he wasn’t bothered by the prank call, calling it “part of the process” (ESPN).
Context of his public statements
His measured response – calm, almost dismissive – may have helped him avoid further controversy, but it didn’t change his draft position.
The implication: Sanders’ focus remained on his career, not the chaos around the draft.
What Did Jeff Ulbrich’s Son Do?
- Jax Ulbrich, then 21 years old, found Sanders’ draft contact number on an open iPad at his parents’ home (NFL.com).
- He impersonated New Orleans Saints GM Mickey Loomis and told Sanders the Saints would pick him next (ESPN).
- Jax later admitted the prank, calling it “completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful” (Bleacher Report).
Jax Ulbrich admitted to prank call
The admission came after NFL investigators traced the call using phone records. Jax said he acted alone and his father knew nothing until after the fact (NFL.com).
Details of the call to Shedeur Sanders
The caller said, “It’s been a long wait, man. We’re going to take you with our next pick… but you’re going to have to wait a little bit longer” (NFL.com). The Saints later selected Tyler Shough with the 40th overall pick, not Sanders (ESPN).
The pattern: a single impulsive act triggered league-wide policy changes.
Why Did Shedeur Sanders Drop in the Draft?
- Shedeur Sanders fell to the fifth round, Day 3, far below early projections (NFL.com).
- NFL executives cited position scarcity, team fit, and pre-draft concerns – not the prank call (ESPN).
NFL execs explain draft fall
The consensus from league sources: quarterback depth, a perceived lack of elite arm talent, and character questionnaires weighed more than the prank call (ESPN).
Role of the prank call in draft position
While the call itself didn’t cause the drop, it added noise. Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski called the prank callers “morons” and the situation “sad” (ESPN).
What this means: the incident amplified pre-existing doubts without overriding them.
The prank call exposed how a family member could derail a draft process. For teams, the lesson: secure prospect contact data beyond the war room. For the league: a new policy limiting phone number access to one club contact per prospect starting in 2026 (Bleacher Report).
What Did Tom Brady Say About Shedeur Sanders?
- Tom Brady commented on Sanders’ Day 3 selection, calling it a “steal” and praising his leadership (NFL.com).
- Brady noted that Sanders “has the right mindset” to succeed despite the draft slide (ESPN).
Tom Brady’s reaction to Day 3 selection
In a segment on his podcast, Brady said the Browns “got a player who’s been battle-tested” and that the prank call was “a non-factor” in his evaluation (NFL.com).
Brady’s general assessment of Sanders
Brady highlighted Sanders’ work ethic and accuracy, suggesting he could become a starter within two seasons.
The implication: a high-profile endorsement can offset a draft-day narrative, but it doesn’t erase the security breach that allowed the prank.
How Did the NFL and Falcons Respond?
- The NFL fined the Falcons $250,000 and Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 for failing to prevent disclosure of confidential draft information (Bleacher Report).
- The organization offered support to both Sanders and the Ulbrich family (ESPN).
- Jeff Ulbrich publicly apologized for his son’s actions (NFL.com).
Falcons support after prank call
Team owner Arthur Blank released a statement emphasizing that “the club takes full responsibility for the incident” and would cooperate with the investigation (ESPN).
NFL fines and discipline outcomes
The league also mandated that all clubs review data-security procedures. The fine structure – $250,000 for the team, $100,000 for the coordinator – set a precedent for penalties when staff families access privileged information (Bleacher Report).
While the NFL punished the team, no direct penalty was levied against Jax Ulbrich. The league relies on individual clubs to enforce internal discipline. For families of high-ranking staff: the line between a prank and a league investigation just got thinner.
Timeline of Events
- Late April 2025: NFL Draft weekend; Jax Ulbrich prank-calls Shedeur Sanders (NFL.com)
- April 27, 2025: Prank call gains media attention; audio and video published (ESPN)
- April 30, 2025: NFL announces fines against Falcons and Jeff Ulbrich (Bleacher Report)
- May 2025: Shedeur Sanders begins rookie season with Cleveland Browns
The pattern: a single impulsive act triggered a cascade of league penalties and policy changes.
Confirmed facts
- Jax Ulbrich admitted to the prank call (NFL.com)
- NFL fined Falcons $250,000 and Ulbrich $100,000 (Bleacher Report)
- Falcons offered support to both parties (ESPN)
- Shedeur Sanders was selected on Day 3 of the 2025 draft (NFL.com)
What’s unclear
- Full extent of Sanders’ personal reaction beyond public statements
- Whether the prank call had any direct effect on his draft stock
- Specific wording of Sanders’ pre-draft warning message to teams
Quotes from Key Figures
“It’s been a long wait, man. We’re going to take you with our next pick… but you’re going to have to wait a little bit longer.”
Jax Ulbrich (impersonating Saints GM Mickey Loomis), as reported by NFL.com
“What Jax did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful. I am deeply sorry to Shedeur, his family, and the Cleveland Browns organization.”
Jeff Ulbrich, via team statement published by NFL.com
“The club takes full responsibility for the incident and will cooperate fully with the investigation.”
Atlanta Falcons statement, reported by ESPN
The consequence for the NFL: a new policy limiting 2026 draft prospect phone numbers to one club contact, a direct response to the breach. For the Ulbrich family, the stain lingers. For Shedeur Sanders, the rookie season in Cleveland offers a fresh start. For every team staffer with access to confidential draft information, the line between a family prank and a league investigation is now unmistakably clear.
Will the NFL extend the single-contact rule to all future drafts? If other teams’ staff families have similar access, the league may face more such incidents. For the Browns: how Sanders performs under the added scrutiny.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly happened during the Shedeur Sanders prank call?
Jax Ulbrich, son of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, called Shedeur Sanders using a number found on an open iPad. He impersonated New Orleans Saints GM Mickey Loomis and told Sanders the Saints would pick him next.
Was Jax Ulbrich punished by the NFL?
No direct punishment from the league. The Falcons and Jeff Ulbrich were fined $250,000 and $100,000 respectively for failing to safeguard confidential draft information.
Why were the Falcons fined for the prank call?
The NFL ruled that the club failed to prevent disclosure of confidential prospect contact numbers. The penalty was a direct result of the data-security lapse.
Did the prank call affect Shedeur Sanders’ draft position?
NFL executives said the call was not a primary factor. The drop was attributed to position scarcity, team fit, and pre-draft evaluations.
How did the Falcons offer support after the incident?
The organization released a statement apologizing and said it would offer support to both Shedeur Sanders and the Ulbrich family.
What did Shedeur Sanders say after the prank call?
Sanders told reporters he wasn’t bothered by the call and considered it “part of the process.” He also sent a warning message to NFL teams before the draft.
Are there NFL rules about player prank calls by team affiliates?
Before this incident, the NFL had no specific rule. After the call, the league restricted 2026 draft prospect phone number access to one football operations contact per club.
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