NFL fines Falcons, Ulbrich over Shedeur Sanders prank call

The NFL fined the Atlanta Falcons $250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 for "failing to prevent the disclosure of confidential information" after Ulbrich's son prank called quarterback prospect Shedeur Sanders during the NFL draft, the league announced Wednesday.

Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of the Falcons' defensive coordinator, obtained Sanders' confidential phone number from an iPad at his parents' house and used it to make a prank call. Jeff Ulbrich was unaware of his son's actions until afterward.

Sanders, whose slide in the draft was the biggest storyline throughout the weekend, received a call from an unidentified friend of Jax posing as New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. The caller falsely claimed the Saints were about to draft the signal-caller with the next pick. Sanders responded that he'd been "waiting" for the call, only to have the prankster reply, "You're going to have to wait a little bit longer, man," before hanging up.

The Colorado product later revealed that only NFL teams had access to the phone number used in the prank call.

"We appreciate the NFL's swift and thorough review of last week's data exposure and the event that transpired due to it," the Falcons said in a statement.

"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."

Jeff publicly apologized Wednesday to Sanders and his family, as well as the Falcons organization. He said he isn't appealing the fine.

"My actions of not protecting confidential data were inexcusable," Ulbrich told reporters, including Joe Patrick of 92.9 The Game. "My son's actions were absolutely inexcusable. And for that, we are both deeply sorry."

Jax apologized after the incident, writing on his Instagram story, "On Friday night, I made a tremendous mistake. Shedeur, what I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful."

The Falcons said Sunday that they "do not condone this behavior" and have contacted Sanders and his family to apologize.

The Cleveland Browns ultimately selected Sanders in the fifth round with the 144th overall pick. Sanders called the prank a "childish act," but added that "everybody does childish things here and there." However, his new head coach, Kevin Stefanski, was less forgiving, saying the incident was "sad" and that "people are morons."

Sanders wasn't the only prospect to receive a prank call during the draft. New York Giants pass-rusher Abdul Carter received a phone call from a caller who said he was from the Jacksonville Jaguars and going to select him second overall, his agent told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Washington Commanders first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr. shared that he received a call from someone impersonating a member of the Denver Broncos. Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren was also reportedly prank called when the New York Jets were on the clock with the seventh overall pick.

The NFL is reviewing the other prank calls but said they're unrelated to Sanders' incident, according to Schefter.