Prank Backfires: Falcons and Coach Jeff Ulbrich Hit with $350K in NFL Fines After Shedeur Sanders Prank Call

The NFL has handed down its verdict following last Friday night's ill-advised prank call aimed at draft prospect Shedeur Sanders, and the league isn't laughing. The culprit, Jax Ulbrich, son of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, admitted to placing the bogus call, telling Sanders he'd been drafted by the New Orleans Saints. But with Jax having accessed the quarterback’s number through his father’s team-issued iPad, the league ruled both Ulbrich and the Falcons accountable.

According to Adam Schefter (via his X account), the fallout includes a $100,000 fine for Jeff Ulbrich and a heftier $250,000 bill for the Falcons organization. The prank may have been intended as a joke, but the league viewed it as a serious breach of privacy and professionalism.

As for Sanders, the call proved nothing more than a cruel tease. The former Colorado QB didn't hear his name called by the Saints, instead, it was the Cleveland Browns who made the move, trading up to pick No. 144 in the fifth round to land him. Unfortunately, the fake call came before the real dream did.

For Shedeur Sanders, the NFL Draft wasn't the joyous celebration most envisioned, it played out more like a public gut punch, complete with disappointment, disrespect, and a viral prank that made all the headlines.

What should've been a weekend to remember for all the right reasons quickly spiraled into a waiting game that stretched longer than anyone expected. Instead of slipping just a few spots from the mock drafts, Sanders had to endure an agonizing slide that lasted days. And that prank call? Just poured salt in the wound.

But when the dust settled, Sanders still landed in the league, and with a shot to prove he's the real deal in Cleveland. Whether he was taken No. 2 overall or No. 144, the opportunity to become the Browns' quarterback of the future is the same. After all, plenty of can't-miss prospects end up missing badly, while some late-round gems shine the brightest.

Interestingly, Sanders wasn't the only draft hopeful targeted by pranksters over the weekend, just the most high-profile victim of the mess. The NFL is still digging into other suspicious calls made to prospects, including Tyler Warren, Kyle McCord, Mason Graham, and Chase Lundt.

Lundt revealed he got "several" of these bogus calls before finally hearing his name called in the sixth round. Meanwhile, Graham's phone number was reportedly leaked on TikTok, which triggered a flood of calls as his draft day dragged on.

The league isn't done investigating, and more names could surface as it looks to clamp down on the chaos that marred what should’ve been one of the most unforgettable weekends in these young players’ lives.

Over the weekend, Jax Ulbrich took to Instagram to publicly apologize for the now-infamous prank call that disrupted Shedeur Sanders' draft night. The post, later highlighted by NFL Network, saw Ulbrich own up to the incident with a heartfelt message:

"On Friday night, I made a tremendous mistake. 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."

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons issued their own response following the NFL’s disciplinary action, which included a $250,000 fine for the team and $100,000 for Jeff Ulbrich. Their official statement emphasized cooperation and accountability:

"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."

Sanders enters a crowded quarterback room. He'll go head-to-head with Kenny Pickett, fresh off backup duty in Philly, and seasoned vet Joe Flacco, who's still slinging it at age 40. Don't forget Dillon Gabriel, another rookie with video-game college stats, who's also gunning for a shot after a standout season at Oregon.