NFL imposes fines on Atlanta Falcons and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich after a practical joke phone call to Shedeur Sanders
Get the lowdown on the NFL's fines and apologies
In the scandal-filled 2025 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons found themselves at the center of controversy. The team and Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich got hit with a hefty fine of $250,000, and Ulbrich himself was slapped with a $100,000 penalty. Bohriter's son Jax, a 21-year-old college student, was the mastermind behind the dreadful prank.
The NFL's investigation, carried out swiftly and thoroughly, revealed that Jax, during a visit to his parents' home, located Shedeur Sanders' draft contact phone number on an unlocked iPad[5]. He put the number to good use, making an embarrassing prank call to Sanders that caught the attention of the Internet[2].
Sanders, a star quarterback from Colorado and the son of Buffalo coach Deion Sanders, who once donned the Falcons' jersey, was drafted Saturday in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns[3]. The call didn't affect his draft position, but it stirred up a storm of criticism for the Falcons.
Jeff Ulbrich was in the dark about the data leak and the prank until after the fact. Once he was informed, he reached out to the Sanders family to apologize[3]. The Sanders family, displaying an admirable show of grace and understanding, accepted the apology[5].
Along with Embracing accountability, the Falcons also made a commitment to community service[5]. The Ulbrich family is working alongside the organization to participate in various service initiatives in the wake of the unfortunate incident. Jeff Ulbrich acknowledged his slip-up, calling his failure to secure confidential data "inexcusable."
Jax Ulbrich had not intended to disrupt the draft, claiming he simply stumbled upon the phone number[5]. An unidentified friend was the one who actually placed the call to Sanders during the draft's second day[2].
The NFL's investigation continues, with reports of additional prank calls made to other draft prospects such as Ashton Jeanty, Mason Graham, and Abdul Carter[2]. The league is adamant about ensuring future drafts remain free of such breaches of professionalism and privacy[1][3].
Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi, based in Tampa, Florida, contributed to this report.
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The Ulbrich family, in response to the prank call incident, has pledged to participate in community service initiatives organized by the Atlanta Falcons.
The NFL is determined to prevent future breaches of professionalism and privacy during drafts, with ongoing investigations into reports of additional prank calls involving prospects such as Ashton Jeanty, Mason Graham, and Abdul Carter.
