NFL fines Falcons and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich following prank call to Shedeur Sanders

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich speaks with members of the media at the Falcons Training Camp, Jan. 27, 2025, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Jason Getz/ Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File)

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons have been fined US$250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been fined $100,000 as the result of Ulbrich’s son participating in a prank call to Shedeur Sanders during the NFL draft.

The NFL confirmed the fines on Wednesday for the roles by the Falcons and Ulbrich in failing to prevent the disclosure of confidential information distributed to the club in advance of the NFL draft.

The Falcons, who disclosed the role of Ulbrich’s 21-year-old son Jax in the prank call as Sanders was waiting for his name to be called in the draft, said they accept the discipline from the league.

“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.”

The Falcons also said the Ulbrich family “is working with the organization to participate in community service initiatives in relation to last week’s matter.”

On Sunday, the Falcons said in a statement that Jax Ulbrich “unintentionally came across the draft contact phone number for Shedeur Sanders off an open iPad while visiting his parent’s home and wrote the number down to later conduct a prank call.”

Jax Ulbrich was sitting beside an unidentified friend who actually made the call to Sanders on Friday, the second day of the draft. Sanders, a standout quarterback from Colorado, is the son of Buffaloes coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, who began his NFL career with the Falcons.

Sanders, who entered the draft expecting to be a first-round pick, was selected Saturday in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns.

The Falcons said Jeff Ulbrich was unaware of the data exposure or the prank until after the fact. The team offered “sincere apologies to Shedeur Sanders and his family.” Jax Ulbrich also posted a public apology on social media.

The NFL continues to investigate prank calls made to other players during the NFL draft. The Associated Press reported Tuesday the call to Shedeur Sanders wasn’t related to the other prank calls.

Tyler Warren, Kyle McCord, Mason Graham and Chase Lundt also have reported receiving prank calls.

AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi in Tampa, Florida, contributed to this report.

Charles Odum, The Associated Press