🏈 Atlanta Falcons Fined After Prank Call Turns Into Full-Blown Draft Scandal
What should’ve been a life-changing night for Shedeur Sanders turned into a public mess after a prank call exposed a much deeper issue inside the NFL and landed the Atlanta Falcons in hot water.
The prank—pulled by Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich—wasn’t just “boys being boys.”
It was cruel.
And now it’s cost the Falcons and Ulbrich a combined $350,000 in fines for mishandling confidential information ahead of the draft.
📞 The Cruel Prank Call That Never Should’ve Happened
On Day 2 of the NFL Draft, Sanders received a call from someone impersonating New Orleans Saints GM Mickey Loomis—a moment that should’ve been filled with excitement quickly spiraled into confusion and embarrassment.
The person on the other end? Jax Ulbrich, who later admitted to copying Sanders’ phone number from an open iPad left out by his dad, containing private NFL Draft materials.
Jax’s goal was to prank Shedeur—on one of the biggest nights of his life.
Let that sink in.
🧍♂️ Jax Ulbrich Apologizes Publicly
Jax owned up to it.
In a public Instagram post, he called the prank selfish and childish, saying it was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful.
He also thanked Shedeur Sanders for accepting a personal apology earlier that day.
While the apology matters, it doesn’t erase what happened.
Related: Jeff Ulbrich’s Son Apologizes For Shedeur Sanders Prank During NFL Draft
💸 The Fallout: NFL Drops The Hammer
After an internal review, the NFL announced the penalties:
- Jeff Ulbrich fined $100,000
- Atlanta Falcons fined $250,000
The league cited failure to prevent the disclosure of confidential information distributed to the club in advance of the NFL Draft.
The Falcons accepted responsibility in their statement and confirmed that the Ulbrich family will participate in community service related to the incident.
🔐 The Bigger Picture: A Wake-Up Call For The NFL
This incident wasn’t just about one call or one player.
It exposed a much bigger issue: how casually sensitive player data is handled in the NFL.
Sources say Sanders’ number was sent to a wide list of staffers—including people who had no real reason to access it.
That’s a major problem, especially in a league where private information can impact contracts, betting, and careers.
The NFL has some cleaning up to do.
👀 Did Jeff Ulbrich & The Atlanta Falcons Deserve The Fine?
Now, to be clear—I’m not here to pile on Jeff Ulbrich or the Falcons as people.
But from a professional standpoint? This punishment was earned. Period.
The prank wasn’t just a lapse in judgment.
It was a mean-spirited move that humiliated a young athlete waiting on the most important call of his life.
There’s no excuse for that.
So yes—the fines were deserved, and honestly, they probably could’ve been steeper.
While it’s good that Jax Ulbrich apologized and the Falcons took responsibility, this whole situation should’ve never happened.
Mistakes like this erode player trust and damage the league’s credibility.
Let this be a lesson for every team: confidential means confidential.
And cruelty disguised as humor should never be part of someone’s big moment.
What are your thoughts on the Falcons’ fine?
Do you think the prank crossed the line?
Let me know in the comments or our socials!
Lock In With Ice Cream Convos
- Share this post on socials!
- Subscribe To Ice Cream Conversations on YouTube and TikTok!
- Join Our Email List for more scoop, giveaways, and special events.
- Show Us Some Love ❤️!
I agree with you and should of been fined more.