Atlanta Falcons and Jax Ulbrich Apologize to Shedeur Sanders for Draft Prank, Fines Issued (UPDATE)

UPDATED 4/30, 11:03 a.m. ET: Fines have been announced for the Atlanta Falcons and the team’s defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich in connection with a 2025 NFL Draft prank call involving Ulbrich’s son, Jeff.

Per reports, the team has been fined $250,000. Ulbrich, meanwhile, has been fined $100,000.

“We appreciate the NFL’s swift and thorough review of last week’s data exposure and the event that transpired due to it,” a team rep said in a statement, as seen below. “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.”

The rep continued, “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. Additionally, the Ulbrich family is working with the organization to participate in community service initiatives in relation to last week’s matter.”

See original story below.

The Atlanta Falcons and Jax Ulbrich, son of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, have apologized to Shedeur Sanders and his family regarding the prank call he received during the 2025 NFL Draft.

On Sunday, the Falcons released a statement addressing the prank call. Sanders received the call after not getting picked in the first three rounds, with Ulbrich's friend pretending to be New Orleans Saints GM Mickey Loomis reaching out to let him know he would be heading to NOLA.

Ulbrich, whose father also works as the Falcons' defensive coordinator, was integral in orchestrating the call. In the statement, the team acknowledged Ulbrich's prank and explained he got Sanders's draft-specific number after finding it on his dad's "open" iPad.

"Earlier in the week, Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, unintentionally came across the draft contact phone number for Shedeur Sanders off an open iPad while visiting his parent's home and wrote the number down to later conduct a prank call. Jeff Ulbrich was unaware of the data exposure or any facets of the prank and was made aware of the above only after the fact."

The team added that it doesn't "condone" Ulbrich's behavior and apologized to the Sanders family. It also added that it would cooperate with the NFL regarding any other inquiries about the prank call and wouldn't reprimand Jeff Ulbrich for his son's prank. Jax also released a statement on Instagram, in which he apologized for making a "tremendous mistake."

"Shedeur, what i did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful," wrote Ulbrich. "I'm so sorry that I took away from your moment, it was selfish and childish. 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."

Ulbrich also revealed that he spoke to Shedeur and hoped he would forgive him for the prank call. Sanders was drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the 144th pick in the fifth round.