Falcons and Jeff Ulbrich Hit With $350,000 Fine for Shedeur Sanders Prank Call

Video
Related Videos
AD Loading ...
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
Â
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
      White House Suggests Trump Deserves Credit for Shedeur Sanders Getting Drafted

      🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.

      Shedeur Sanders waited until the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft for his name to be called, but he was fooled into thinking that call was done during the second. Sanders' number was found, and it was revealed that the son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich called Sanders to prank him into thinking he was getting a draft call from a GM.

      More news: Browns HC Responds to Shedeur Sanders Prank Call Incident

      After the league discovered that the prank call was enacted by Ulbrich's son, an investigation was launched. It was revealed that Jax Ulbrich saw the number on his father's iPad and used it to prank Sanders.

      Now, the league has come down with a massive punishment. The Falcons have been fined $250,000, and Ulbrich has been fined $100,000.

      The statement for the fine that Ian Rapoport shared states the fines were for "failing to prevent the disclosure of confidential information distributed to the club in advance of the NFL Draft."

      Shedeur Sanders
      INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Shedeur Sanders #QB13 of Colorado speaks at the podium during the 2025 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 28, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

      Read more: Falcons DC's Son Publicly Apologizes For Shedeur Sanders Prank Draft Call

      Following the revelation that Jax used the number to prank Sanders, he released a statement apologizing.

      The statement reads:

      "On Friday night I made a tremendous mistake," Jax wrote in his apology.

      "Shedeur, what I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful. I'm so sorry 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. Thank you for accepting my call earlier today, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

      The Falcons have now released a statement regarding the matter be closed with a fine.

      The Falcons statement reads:

      "We appreciate the NFL's swift and thorough review of last week's data exposure and the event that transpired due to it. 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. 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."

      The fact that the Falcons will retain Ulbrich is a win here, despite him being fined $100,000. A data breach like this is something that teams will take very seriously, as the Falcons organization has.

      For Jax, this is a lesson not to prank athletes and during the time when they are waiting for a call to change their lives.

      More NFL:

      Steelers Release Draft Pick Due to Major Medical Issue

      For more on the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.

      About the writer

      James Brizuela is a contributing sports and entertainment writer located in Los Angeles. His focus is on Comics, Comic Book Movies, Video Games, NFL, and MMA. He has in-depth knowledge of the NFL as a whole, having been a fan for over 30 years, and covering the sports over the last six years. He also knows the ins and outs of the comics world, becoming an editor while covering everything DC and beyond on Comic Book Resources, Giant Freakin Robot, and Inside the Magic. James joined Newsweek in March 2024, having previously written NFL content for Sports Illustrated. He is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside. You can get in touch with James by emailing, j.brizuela@newsweek.com. You can find him at X @james_brizuela



      James Brizuela is a contributing sports and entertainment writer located in Los Angeles. His focus is on Comics, Comic Book ... Read more