Shedeur Sanders Draft Day Prank Call Made by Falcons DC's Son, Fesses Up in Apology
Shedeur Sanders Draft Day Prank Call Made by Falcons DC’s Son: Full Apology & Aftermath
Jax Ulbrich, son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, publicly admitted to making the prank call to Shedeur Sanders
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The mystery behind the Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call has been solved after days of speculation throughout the NFL community. In a surprising revelation, Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, has admitted to being the person responsible for the cruel joke that added disappointment to an already frustrating draft experience for the Colorado quarterback.
Shedeur Sanders Draft Day Prank Call Mystery Solved
The Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call incident occurred during the second and third rounds of the NFL Draft on Friday night. Sanders, who had expected to be selected near the top of the first round the previous evening, received a call that momentarily gave him and his family hope that a team was finally selecting him. However, this call turned out to be a malicious prank that only compounded the disappointment of sliding down the draft board.
Key Details About the Prank Call
- The call came during the second day of the NFL Draft 2025
- Sanders had received a new phone specifically for draft communications
- The prank caller somehow obtained Sanders’ private number
- Video footage from the prankster’s side of the call was later released online
- Internet sleuths quickly identified Jax Ulbrich as the perpetrator
What made the Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call particularly suspicious was that Sanders had been given a new phone specifically for draft night communications with NFL teams. This raised immediate questions about how an outsider could have obtained this private number, leading to speculation that someone with NFL connections might have been involved.
Jax Ulbrich’s Public Apology
Following his identification as the perpetrator of the Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call, Jax Ulbrich issued a public apology on Sunday afternoon via social media. Ulbrich, a sophomore running back at Division III Berry College, expressed deep remorse for his actions and acknowledged the impact of his “tremendous mistake.”
“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.”
— Jax Ulbrich, in his Instagram apology
The apology indicates that Ulbrich had already spoken directly with Sanders on Sunday to express his regret over the Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call. However, as of the time of publication, Sanders has not publicly responded to or commented on the apology from Ulbrich.
Jax Ulbrich plays running back at Division III Berry College and is the son of the Falcons’ defensive coordinator
Double Disappointment During NFL Draft 2025
The Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call represented a second layer of disappointment for the quarterback, who had entered the draft with high expectations. As the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and current Colorado head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, Shedeur had been projected by many analysts to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
When the first round concluded on Thursday night without Sanders hearing his name called, it was already a significant disappointment. The prank call on Friday night only added insult to injury, momentarily raising his hopes before cruelly dashing them again. This emotional rollercoaster during what should have been one of the most celebratory moments of his career made the Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call particularly heartless.
Timeline of Draft Weekend Events
First round of NFL Draft concludes without Shedeur Sanders being selected, despite expectations he would be a top pick.
During rounds 2-3, Sanders receives the prank call, temporarily believing a team was drafting him.
Sanders is legitimately selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 5th round (144th overall pick).
Jax Ulbrich publicly admits to making the prank call and issues an apology on social media.
Atlanta Falcons Organization Response
Following the public admission by Jax Ulbrich regarding the Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call, the Atlanta Falcons organization quickly issued a statement addressing the situation. This swift response was particularly necessary given that Jax’s father, Jeff Ulbrich, had just joined the Falcons this offseason as their defensive coordinator after being let go by the New York Jets.
The Atlanta Falcons released an official statement confirming they are in contact with the NFL regarding the incident
In their statement, the Falcons acknowledged the incident and confirmed they were in contact with the league office regarding the matter. The organization’s quick response demonstrates the seriousness with which they view the Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call incident, especially given the potential ramifications for both their new defensive coordinator and the league’s draft integrity.
Professional Ramifications
While the prank was carried out by Jax Ulbrich personally, not his father, the incident has placed Jeff Ulbrich in an uncomfortable position just months after joining the Falcons organization. NFL insiders have speculated about potential internal disciplinary measures or how this might affect the working relationship between Ulbrich and the team’s front office during his first season as defensive coordinator.
NFL’s Investigation into the Incident
The Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call has prompted an investigation by the National Football League, which takes the integrity of its draft process extremely seriously. The draft is one of the NFL’s premier events, and maintaining the sanctity of team communications with prospective players is essential to the league’s operations.
A particularly concerning aspect of the incident is how Jax Ulbrich obtained Sanders’ draft day phone number. Since teams are provided with these numbers through official channels, the league will likely investigate whether there was a breach of confidential information. The Falcons’ statement mentioned coordination with the league office, suggesting the investigation is already underway.
Potential NFL Policy Changes
Industry analysts are speculating that the Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call incident might lead to changes in how the NFL manages draft communications in the future. Possibilities include enhanced verification protocols for team calls to prospects or additional security measures for distributing contact information to team personnel.
Shedeur Sanders’ Actual Draft Outcome
Despite the unfortunate Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call and his slide down the draft board, Sanders was ultimately selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round with the 144th overall pick. This selection came much later than many analysts had projected for the Colorado quarterback, who had been discussed as a potential first-round talent.
Sanders joins a Cleveland Browns quarterback room that includes veteran Deshaun Watson, potentially giving him time to develop at the professional level without immediate pressure to start. While being selected in the fifth round represents a financial difference compared to first-round contracts, it also gives Sanders the opportunity to prove doubters wrong with a chip on his shoulder.
Sanders’ Path Forward
Many NFL quarterbacks selected outside the first round have gone on to successful careers, including:
- Tom Brady (6th round, 199th overall pick)
- Russell Wilson (3rd round, 75th overall pick)
- Dak Prescott (4th round, 135th overall pick)
- Kirk Cousins (4th round, 102nd overall pick)
Sanders has the opportunity to join this list of successful quarterbacks who outperformed their draft position.
Broader Implications of the Draft Day Prank
The Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call incident raises broader questions about social media culture, responsibility, and the pressure faced by young athletes during high-profile events like the NFL Draft. The incident has sparked discussions about the boundaries of pranks and jokes in sports, especially when they affect someone’s career milestone moments.
For Jax Ulbrich, the consequences of his actions extend beyond his apology. As a college athlete himself, this public incident could impact his own reputation and future opportunities. His acknowledgment that the call was “selfish and childish” reflects an understanding of the gravity of his actions, though the public and Sanders himself will ultimately decide whether the apology is sufficient.
For the NFL and its teams, the Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the draft process and ensuring the security of communications during this critical event. The league’s response and any potential policy changes will be watched closely by teams and players alike.
Key Takeaways from the Incident
- The Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call was executed by Jax Ulbrich, son of Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich
- Ulbrich has issued a public apology, calling his actions “inexcusable” and “shameful”
- The Atlanta Falcons organization has acknowledged the incident and is in contact with the NFL
- Sanders was ultimately drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 5th round
- Questions remain about how Ulbrich obtained Sanders’ draft day phone number
- Sanders has not yet publicly responded to the apology
As this story continues to develop, the focus will likely shift to the NFL’s investigation findings and any potential disciplinary actions. Meanwhile, Sanders begins his professional journey with the Cleveland Browns, looking to put this unfortunate Shedeur Sanders draft day prank call incident behind him and focus on proving himself at the next level of competition.
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