04/27/25 05:48:00
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04/27 17:47 CDT Falcons say defensive coordinator Ulbrich's son was responsible
for prank call to Shedeur Sanders
Falcons say defensive coordinator Ulbrich's son was responsible for prank call
to Shedeur Sanders
By CHARLES ODUM
AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) --- The Atlanta Falcons said Sunday that defensive coordinator
Jeff Ulbrich's son was responsible for a prank call made to NFL draft pick
Shedeur Sanders.
The Falcons released a statement saying 21-year-old 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."
The Falcons said Jeff Ulbrich was unaware of the data exposure or the prank
until after the fact. They offered "sincere apologies to Shedeur Sanders and
his family" in their statement, and Jax Ulbrich also posted a public apology on
social media.
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.
Shedeur Sanders was perhaps the draft's biggest story as he had to wait until
the fifth round on Saturday before being drafted by the Cleveland Browns. He
received a prank call on Friday night, the second day of the draft, while
waiting.
In the call, Jax Ulbrich identified himself as New Orleans Saints general
manager Mickey Loomis and told Sanders he had been drafted by the Saints before
ending the call.
"It didn't really have no impact on me because it was just like, OK. I don't
feed into negativity or I don't feed into that stuff," Sanders said Saturday
after being drafted. "... This is what it is. I think, of course, it's
childish, of course I feel like it was a childish act, but everybody do
childish things here and there."
Jax Ulbrich apologized to Sanders on Sunday for what he called "a tremendous
mistake."
"Shedeur, what I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing and shameful," he
wrote on social media. "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 Falcons also apologized to Sanders and his family, saying they "do not
condone this behavior."
"We are thoroughly reviewing all protocols, and updating if necessary, to help
prevent an incident like this from happening again," the Falcons said.
The Falcons said they have been in contact with the NFL "and will continue to
cooperate fully with any inquiries we may receive from the NFL league office."
Jeff Ulbrich celebrated the Falcons' emphasis on defense in the NFL draft. The
Falcons selected two edge rushers, Georgia's Jalon Walker and Tennessee's James
Pearce Jr., in the first round. Their first four draft picks were defensive
players.
Ulbrich was 3-9 as interim coach of the New York Jets last season before being
hired to return to Atlanta, where he previously worked as an assistant.
___
AP Sports Writer Noah Trister in Washington contributed to this report.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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