The Atlanta Falcons defined on Sunday that the son of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was accountable for the prank name made to NFL draft decide Shedeur Sanders.
The Falcons launched a press release saying 21-year-old Jax Ulbrich “unintentionally came across the draft contact phone number for Shedeur Sanders off an open iPad while visiting his parents’ home and wrote the number down to later conduct a prank call”.
Although Jax Ulbrich supplied the quantity, he was sitting beside an unidentified good friend who truly made the decision to Sanders.
The Falcons stated Jeff Ulbrich was unaware of the info publicity or the prank till after the very fact. They supplied “sincere apologies to Shedeur Sanders and his family” of their assertion, and Jax Ulbrich additionally posted a public apology on social media.
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Sanders reacts after going unselected within the first spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft
Sanders, a standout quarterback from Colorado, is the son of Buffaloes coach and Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Deion Sanders, who started his NFL profession with the Falcons.
Shedeur Sanders was maybe the draft’s largest story as he needed to wait till the fifth spherical on Saturday earlier than being drafted by the Cleveland Browns.
He obtained a prank name on Friday evening, the second day of the draft, whereas ready.
Within the name, Jax Ulbrich’s good friend recognized himself as New Orleans Saints basic supervisor Mickey Loomis and advised Sanders he had been drafted by the Saints earlier than ending the decision.
“It didn’t really have no impact on me because it was just like, OK. I don’t feed into negativity or I don’t feed into that stuff,” Sanders stated Saturday after being drafted.
“This is what it is. I think, of course, it’s childish, of course I feel like it was a childish act, but everybody does childish things here and there.”
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Cam Ward, Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter have been the highest three picks from the NFL Draft
Jax Ulbrich apologised to Sanders on Sunday for what he known as “a tremendous mistake”.
“Shedeur, what I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing and shameful,” he wrote on social media.
“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 additionally apologised to Sanders and his household, saying they “do not condone this behaviour”.
“We are thoroughly reviewing all protocols, and updating if necessary, to help prevent an incident like this from happening again,” the Falcons stated.
The Falcons stated they’ve been involved with the NFL “and will continue to cooperate fully with any inquiries we may receive from the NFL league office”.
Jeff Ulbrich celebrated the Falcons’ emphasis on protection within the NFL draft. The Falcons chosen two edge rushers, Georgia’s Jalon Walker and Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr, within the first spherical. Their first 4 draft picks have been defensive gamers.
Ulbrich was 3-9 as interim coach of the New York Jets final season earlier than being employed to return to Atlanta, the place he beforehand labored as an assistant.
