The NFL has fined the Atlanta Falcons $250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 for a leak of Shedeur Sanders’ phone number.
The NFL didn’t buy the Falcons’ excuse that Ulbrich’s son, Jax, saw Shedeur’s phone number on an open iPad.
Jax Ulbrich leaked Shedeur’s unlisted number to a friend who prank called Shedeur while he waited to be drafted on April 25.
Shedeur received a call from someone pretending to be the general manager of the New Orleans Saints. The caller told Shedeur he had to wait a little while longer.
As video of the prank call went viral, fans accused the league of racism.
Jax apologized for the prank call, which he said was a “terrible mistake”.
Rumor has it that Jax Ulbrich, son of Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich, was behind the Shedeur Sanders prank call.
This would explain how Sanders’ private number, meant only for NFL execs, got out. pic.twitter.com/pbkLfHoVLU
— College Transfer Portal (@CollegeFBPortal) April 27, 2025
It was a humiliating experience for Shedeur who dropped out of the first round. His name remained on the board until the 5th round when he was finally chosen No. 144 by the Cleveland Browns – a team he didn’t want to play for.
The Falcons thanked the league for not demanding Jeff Ulbrich’s termination.
“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 sent to CNN. “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.”
The statement continued: “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. Additionally, the Ulbrich family is working with the organization to participate in community service initiatives in relation to last week’s matter.”
