NFL fines Falcons $250K, assistant coach Jeff Ulbrich $100K over Shedeur Sanders draft prank call

The NFL has punished the Atlanta Falcons and their defensive coordinator with six-figure fines after the DC’s son was responsible for a draft day prank call on an NFL prospect.

Wednesday morning, the league announced a $250,000 fine for the Atlanta Falcons and a $100,000 fine for Jeff Ulbrich for their roles in the viral prank call against new Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

During the second day of the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders received a phone call on his draft-issued phone line, with the caller claiming to be New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. He told Sanders the team was preparing to draft him.

The caller then says, “Hey, but you’re going to have to wait a little bit longer, man. Sorry about that,” and hangs up the phone.

A video of the prank call went viral on social media shortly after the incident.

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In the aftermath of the controversy, the internet identified Jax Ulbrich, the son of Falcons’ defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, as one of the men recorded making the phone call.

Jax admitted to swiping Sanders’ draft-issued phone number from an iPad that was in his parents’ home days before the NFL Draft. According to his and his father’s accounts, Jeff was not made aware of the theft until after the prank call went viral.

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After his involvement was brought to the light, Jax released an apology on Instagram to Shedeur and the Sanders family.

The Falcons also released a statement, which in part confirmed that the team would not punish Ulbrich. However, a punishment from the league was evidently not included in that decision.