The 2025 NFL Draft was a highly anticipated event, with many players eagerly waiting to hear their names called. However, one of the most talked-about moments was not about a player being drafted but a prank call made to Shedeur Sanders, the highly touted quarterback from the University of Colorado. The incident has since led to a public apology from Jax Ulbrich, the son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
Jax Ulbrich, a 21-year-old, admitted to making the prank call to Sanders on Friday, the second day of the draft. In a statement released by the Atlanta Falcons, it was revealed that Jax had “unintentionally come 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”. The team emphasized that Jeff Ulbrich was “unaware of the data exposure or any facets of the prank and was made aware of the above only after the fact”.
The prank call was captured on video and quickly went viral. In the video, the caller, who was impersonating New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis, told Sanders, “We’re going to take you with our next pick right here, man. But you’re going to have to wait a little bit longer, man. Sorry about that”. A visibly excited Sanders was left confused and disappointed after the call was abruptly ended.
Jax Ulbrich took to social media to issue a heartfelt apology. He wrote, “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”.
The Atlanta Falcons also released an official statement condemning the behavior and apologizing to Sanders and his family. The team stated, “The Atlanta Falcons do not condone this behavior and send our sincere apologies to Shedeur Sanders and his family, who we have been in contact with to apologize to, as well as facilitate an apology directly from Jax to the Sanders family”. The Falcons further assured that they are “thoroughly reviewing all protocols, and updating if necessary, to help prevent an incident like this from happening again”.
Shedeur Sanders, who was eventually drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round as the 144th overall pick, addressed the incident during a conference call with reporters. He said, “It didn’t really have an impact on me because it was just like, I mean, OK, like I don’t feed into negativity or I don’t feed into that stuff. I think, of course, it is childish. Of course, I feel like it was a childish act, but everybody does childish things here and there”.
The NFL has confirmed that it is investigating the incident to determine how Sanders’ private number was leaked and if there were any other prank calls made to draft hopefuls. The league’s inquiry aims to ensure the integrity of the draft process and prevent such incidents in the future.
In conclusion, the prank call to Shedeur Sanders has highlighted the importance of safeguarding sensitive information and the need for accountability in such situations. While Jax Ulbrich’s apology and the Falcons’ response are steps in the right direction, the incident serves as a reminder of the impact such actions can have on individuals’ significant moments. Shedeur Sanders, despite the setback, remains focused on his future with the Cleveland Browns and the opportunities that lie ahead.
