My son’s actions were absolutely inexcusable
Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has publicly accepted responsibility for the prank call targeting quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the 2025 NFL draft. The incident, orchestrated by Ulbrich’s 21-year-old son Jax, involved a fake call pretending to be from the New Orleans Saints, leading Sanders to believe he would be their next pick.
In a press conference at the Falcons’ facility in Georgia, Ulbrich issued a formal apology to Sanders and his family, as well as to team owner Arthur Blank, general manager Terry Fontenot, and interim head coach Raheem Morris. He acknowledged his failure to protect confidential information and expressed deep regret for the actions of his son.
Sanders, initially expected to be a first-round pick, was eventually selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. The prank call created confusion and disappointment for Sanders during what should have been a celebratory moment.
The NFL responded to the incident with fines totaling $350,000, including a $100,000 penalty for Ulbrich and a $250,000 sanction against the Falcons organization. Despite the financial repercussions, Ulbrich stated that he and his son would not appeal the punishment and accepted full responsibility for their actions.
Ulbrich also mentioned the gracious response from the Sanders family following his apology. Jax Ulbrich, in a separate Instagram post, expressed remorse for his “completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful” behavior.
The NFL is currently investigating other prank calls made to draft prospects, unrelated to the Sanders incident. Ulbrich emphasized his commitment to demonstrating better judgment moving forward and learning from this unfortunate episode.
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