Shedeur Sanders, Jax Ulbrich, Jeff Ulbrich, and the Atlanta Falcons: A Comprehensive Analysis of the 2025 NFL Draft Prank Incident and Its Aftermath
ATLANTA, GA — April 30, 2025 — What was initially perceived as a light-hearted prank during the high-stakes 2025 NFL Draft has quickly snowballed into a major controversy involving the Atlanta Falcons, their defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, his son Jax Ulbrich, and high-profile rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. In response, the NFL has levied fines and disciplinary action, sending a clear message about professionalism, player respect, and the integrity of the league’s most watched offseason event.
The Incident: A Prank Gone Too Far
The controversy began on the evening of the 2025 NFL Draft, when Shedeur Sanders—once projected as a top quarterback selection—received what he believed was a legitimate call from the Atlanta Falcons indicating that they were preparing to select him. The call, however, turned out to be a prank orchestrated by Jax Ulbrich, the son of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, with alleged involvement or at least knowledge on the part of Jeff.
According to multiple sources, the call imitated the typical structure of a draft selection conversation, including congratulatory language and verbal cues often associated with official team contact. Shedeur, surrounded by family, friends, and media coverage, was visibly emotional, only to discover minutes later that the call was not real.
Public Reaction and Backlash
The fallout was swift and severe. Video of Shedeur’s reaction—jubilant at first, then visibly confused—circulated widely on social media platforms. Fans, fellow players, and analysts criticized the stunt as cruel, unprofessional, and damaging to the draft experience of a young athlete.
Former and current NFL players voiced their support for Shedeur and condemned the prank:
“This is a man’s future and livelihood. Playing with that isn’t funny,” tweeted a prominent veteran quarterback.
Even Deion Sanders, Shedeur’s father and head coach at the University of Colorado, addressed the incident on social media without naming names, writing:
“Character matters. Integrity matters. We’re raising MEN, not clowns. #Truth”
NFL Response: Fines and Reprimands
On April 30, 2025, the NFL released an official statement confirming that:
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The Atlanta Falcons organization was fined $500,000 for “conduct detrimental to the integrity of the Draft process.”
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Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich received a personal fine of $100,000, and the league has launched an internal review into whether his actions violated the NFL’s Conduct Policy.
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Jax Ulbrich, who is not a team employee, has been banned from any sideline or credentialed NFL access for the 2025 season.
The league emphasized the seriousness of the offense, noting that mocking or misrepresenting draft communications undermines trust between teams and incoming players, and potentially impacts mental health, financial decisions, and reputational standing.
Atlanta Falcons’ Statement and Internal Fallout
The Falcons released a brief statement acknowledging the incident:
“The Atlanta Falcons regret the events surrounding the prank phone call to Shedeur Sanders. While intended as a joke, the act was inappropriate and inconsistent with the values of our organization. We have cooperated fully with the league’s review and will take additional internal actions as necessary.”
Sources inside the Falcons organization have revealed that the team is conducting its own inquiry and that Jeff Ulbrich’s future with the team could be under review, particularly if further details emerge about his role.
Impact on Shedeur Sanders and the Draft Narrative
For Shedeur Sanders, the prank added an emotionally charged and disappointing chapter to what should have been one of the most meaningful nights of his life. While he was later selected by another team (details not publicly confirmed at time of this report), the moment of false hope and national embarrassment will not be easily forgotten.
Sports psychologists and former draft picks alike have commented on the psychological toll such a moment could inflict, especially on a young athlete stepping into the hyper-scrutinized world of the NFL.
Wider Implications for the NFL
This incident is being viewed as a watershed moment for how the NFL handles conduct around the Draft. League officials are now reportedly considering additional safeguards around team communications during the event, including:
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Verification protocols for phone calls
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Stricter access restrictions on team personnel during the Draft
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Formal education on Draft Day etiquette and ethics for all team staff
Final Thoughts: Respect in Professional Sports
The Shedeur Sanders prank incident underscores the importance of empathy, professionalism, and respect in professional sports. While pranks have long been part of locker room culture, the boundary between humor and harm must be carefully drawn—especially when it affects a young player’s future.
As the NFL continues to evolve in its treatment of players’ mental well-being and public image, this incident serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to action.