
Falcons Issue Apology to Shedeur Sanders Over NFL Draft Prank Call
The NFL Draft is supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration — the culmination of years of hard work, sweat, and sacrifice. But for Shedeur Sanders, the 2025 Draft took a surprising and slightly sour turn when a prank call momentarily clouded what should have been a purely joyous occasion. Now, the Atlanta Falcons have publicly apologised for the incident that involved their defensive coordinator’s son and has promised a full review of their internal procedures.
Falcons Apologise After Jax Ulbrich’s Prank Call to Sanders Goes Public
In the modern world of social media, it doesn’t take long for any misstep to become viral, and that’s exactly what happened here. A video surfaced online showing Sanders answering a phone call he believed was from New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. The voice on the other end told Sanders that the Saints were about to select him — only to cruelly reveal moments later that he would “have to wait a little bit longer.”
For Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, it was an uncomfortable moment broadcast to the world. Although Sanders handled it with grace, it was an unnecessary blemish on a day that was meant to mark the start of his professional career. Ultimately, he was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the sixth pick of the fifth round, 144th overall. But the incident left a lingering sour taste, prompting a swift and sincere apology from the Falcons organisation.
The prank originated with Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. According to an official statement released by the Falcons, Jax found Sanders’ draft contact number by accident while visiting his parents’ home. Apparently, an open iPad revealed the private information, which Jax then used to carry out the prank without his father’s knowledge.
“Earlier in the week, Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of defensive coordinator Jeff 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,” the Falcons stated.
“Jeff Ulbrich was unaware of the data exposure or any facets of the prank and was made aware of the above only after the fact.”
The team further emphasised that the behaviour was not acceptable and that they have already been in touch with the Sanders family to apologise directly. “The Atlanta Falcons do not condone this behaviour and send our sincere apologies to Shedeur Sanders and his family,” the statement continued. “We are thoroughly reviewing all protocols, and updating if necessary, to help prevent an incident like this from happening again.”
Jax Ulbrich Apologises to Shedeur Sanders: A “Selfish and Childish” Mistake

Son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator apologizes for prank call made to Cleveland Browns’ draft pick Shedeur Sanders
Not only did the Falcons issue a formal apology, but Jax Ulbrich himself took to social media to express deep remorse. His post was heartfelt and didn’t shy away from admitting fault.
“I made a tremendous mistake,” he wrote. “What I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful. I’m so sorry I took away from your moment. It was selfish and childish.”
In the heat of the draft, when emotions are already running high, any distraction can cut deeply — especially one that plays with the very hopes and dreams athletes have spent their lives chasing. But Jax’s willingness to own up to his mistake, without offering excuses, was at least a step in the right direction.
Shedeur Sanders Responds With Grace and Maturity
Despite the unfortunate situation, Shedeur Sanders’ reaction was nothing short of impressive. Speaking about the incident after being drafted, he showed the kind of poise and maturity that NFL teams value highly in a quarterback.
“It didn’t really have an impact on me,” Sanders said when asked about the prank call. “I think, of course, it was a childish act, but everybody does childish things here and there.”
It’s a refreshingly level-headed response for a player who, heading into the draft, was projected to be one of the top quarterbacks selected. Although he slipped further down the board than some experts anticipated, ending up as the sixth quarterback taken, Sanders’ focus clearly remains on the bigger picture: making his mark on the NFL with the Cleveland Browns.
A Family Built for the Big Stage
For Shedeur Sanders, being in the spotlight is nothing new. His father, Deion Sanders, is one of the most recognisable and decorated athletes in American sports history. Deion’s remarkable NFL career saw him star as a cornerback, kick returner, and even dabble as a wide receiver — a rare versatility that earned him enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
And it wasn’t just football; Deion also played Major League Baseball at the highest level, famously competing in the 1992 World Series with the Atlanta Braves. That kind of dual-sport legacy is almost unheard of and makes Shedeur’s journey into professional football feel like a natural extension of the family story.
Deion also had a direct hand in Shedeur’s football development, coaching him at the University of Colorado. Under his father’s leadership, Shedeur showcased his talent, poise under pressure, and strong leadership qualities — all traits that will be crucial as he begins his journey with the Browns.
Moving Forward: Lessons Learned for the Falcons and the NFL
Incidents like this are a stark reminder that professionalism, privacy, and respect must be at the forefront of all NFL operations, especially during major events like the draft. To their credit, the Atlanta Falcons quickly acknowledged the mistake and have pledged to make changes to prevent something similar from happening in the future.
While the prank call was unfortunate, it won’t define Shedeur Sanders’ career. If anything, his calm and gracious handling of the situation only further underscores the kind of character he brings to the NFL — and the Cleveland Browns can count themselves lucky to have landed a player with not only the skills but the mindset to succeed.
At the end of the day, the draft is about beginnings, not distractions. And for Shedeur Sanders, this is only the first chapter of what promises to be an exciting NFL journey.
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