That’s one costly prank.
The NFL has fined the Falcons $250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich a separate $100,000 for the Shedeur Sanders NFL draft prank committed by Ulbrich’s son, Jax.
Jax and a friend recorded themselves calling Sanders over the weekend claiming to be Saints GM Mickey Loomis, telling the previous Colorado star the franchise was able to draft him.
“We appreciate the NFL’s swift and thorough review of last week’s data exposure and the event that transpired attributable to it,” the Falcons said in an announcement released Wednesday. “We were proactive in addressing the situation internally and cooperated fully with the league throughout the method, and accept the discipline levied to Coach Jeff Ulbrich and the organization. We’re confident in our security policies and practices and can proceed to emphasise adherence to them with our staff whether on or off premises. Moreover, the Ulbrich family is working with the organization to take part in community service initiatives in relation to last week’s matter.”
Sanders was on a LiveStream on the time and the decision quickly went viral, adding to the embarrassment that got here with dropping from a top prospect all the way down to the fifth round, where the Browns chosen him with pick No. 144.
Video ultimately emerged of Jax and his friend, who actually made the decision, perpetrating the cruel prank.
Jax had pulled Sanders’ number off an open iPad while visiting his parents’ home.
And while the Falcons claim Jeff had no knowledge of the decision, the NFL has sent a transparent message to coaches and personnel across the league — in addition to their mischievous offspring — with the hefty punishment that the league confirmed.
Jax, 21, and a student at Berry College in Georgia, apologized Sunday after admitting to being the guilty party.
“On Friday night I made an amazing mistake,” Jax wrote in an announcement on Instagram. “Shedeur, what | did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful. I’m so sorry | took away out of your moment, it was selfish and childish. I could never imagine on the point of have fun certainly one of the best moments of your life and I made a terrible mistake and messed with that moment. Thanks for accepting my call earlier today, I hope you could find it in your heart to forgive me.”
Jeff Ulrbich is a longtime NFL assistant and served because the Jets interim head coach last season after Robert Saleh was fired.
Sanders was certainly one of several 2025 NFL Draft prospects to get pranked over the weekend, including star Penn State tight end Tyler Warren.
