In the waning moments of the 2025 NFL Draft’s second round, Shedeur Sanders, a quarterback once projected as a first-round talent, sat in suspense, his phone a lifeline to his professional future. The call that came was not from an NFL executive but a cruel prank, orchestrated by Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Pretending to be New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, the caller falsely promised Sanders a selection, only to leave him confused and humiliated in a moment meant for celebration. The incident, captured on video and shared widely online, has cast a shadow over the draft and prompted swift action from the NFL, which fined the Falcons $250,000 and Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 for failing to safeguard confidential information that enabled the prank.

The origins of this controversy trace back to an unsecured iPad in the Ulbrich household. Jax, a sophomore running back at Berry College, stumbled upon Sanders’ draft-specific phone number, a closely guarded detail shared only with NFL teams. Visiting his parents’ home, he copied the number and later, with an unidentified friend, executed the prank call on April 25, 2025, as Sanders endured an unexpected slide in the draft. The video, briefly circulating on social media before the account went private, showed two young men, one impersonating Loomis, taunting Sanders with false hope. Sanders, visibly perplexed, turned to his draft party guests, asking, “What does that mean?” The moment, recorded by Well Off Media, a YouTube channel run by Sanders’ brother Deion Jr., underscored the emotional toll of the deception.

The NFL’s response was decisive. The fines, announced on April 30, 2025, reflect the league’s stance on protecting the integrity of the draft process. The Falcons’ penalty stemmed from their failure to prevent the leak of sensitive information, while Jeff Ulbrich’s fine addressed his role, however unwitting, in the breach. The team issued a statement accepting the discipline, emphasizing their cooperation with the league’s investigation and commitment to revising security protocols. Jeff Ulbrich, a former NFL linebacker and respected coach, was unaware of his son’s actions until after the incident, according to the Falcons, and the organization opted not to discipline him further.

Jax Ulbrich, for his part, took to Instagram on April 27, 2025, to offer a public apology. Calling his actions “inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful,” he expressed regret for stealing a pivotal moment from Sanders and thanked the quarterback for accepting a personal call to discuss the matter. Sanders, drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round at pick 144, downplayed the prank’s impact during a press conference, stating, “It didn’t really have an impact on me. I don’t feed into negativity.” His measured response contrasted with the broader outcry, as fans and analysts debated the ethics of targeting a young athlete during a high-stakes moment.

The incident was not isolated. The NFL is investigating similar prank calls to other prospects, including Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, selected 14th overall by the Indianapolis Colts, and Buffalo Bills sixth-round pick Chase Lundt, who reported receiving multiple calls. These incidents, unrelated to the Sanders prank, highlight a troubling trend that the league is keen to address. The Falcons have pledged to work with the NFL to prevent future breaches, and the Ulbrich family has committed to community service initiatives as a gesture of accountability.

For Sanders, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, the draft was a humbling experience, marked by intense scrutiny over his slide from a projected top pick. The prank call, while a fleeting moment, amplified the pressure of an already challenging weekend. Yet, his resilience and focus on his new chapter with the Browns signal a determination to move forward. The NFL, meanwhile, faces the broader task of safeguarding its draft process, ensuring that moments of triumph are not marred by preventable missteps. As the Falcons and Ulbrich navigate the fallout, the league’s firm response serves as a reminder of the high standards expected in professional football.