Update 1: The son of an Atlanta Falcons coach has privately and publicly apologized to Shedeur Sanders for his “shameful” prank call on Friday.
Jax Ulbrich, son of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, called Shedeur on Sunday morning to apologize for giving Shedeur’s private number to a friend.
Jax also wrote a public apology to Shedeur on Sunday.
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
Jax 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.”
He continued: “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.”
Jax, 21, concluded: “Thank you for accepting my call earlier today, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
The Falcons also issued a statement on Sunday, saying Jax “unintentionally came across the draft contact phone number for Shedeur Sanders off an open iPad.”
Shedeur was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 5th round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday night.
Shedeur’s father, NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, previously predicted that his son would be a top 5 pick. But his prediction backfired when Shedeur slid out of the 1st round without being drafted.
Shedeur’s misery was compounded on Day 2 of the NFL Draft when Jax Ulbrich acquired his phone number and gave it to a friend to prank call Shedeur.
The prank call was captured on livestream video at Shedeur’s draft party.
The caller pretended to be Saints manager Mickey Loomis, saying, “This is Mickey Loomis here, the GM of the New Orleans Saints… How are you doing, man?”
Shedeur responded that he had been waiting for Loomis to call.
The caller said, “Yeah, we have. It’s been a long wait, man. We’re gonna take you with our next pick right here, man.”
However, the Saints pick was already in.
When Shedeur said, “It’s gonna be legendary,” the caller told him, “Yeah, but you’re gonna have to wait a little longer, man. Sorry about that.”
Shedeur prank call pic.twitter.com/XLmeyu82yQ
— Dingus McDinkle (@DingusMcDinkle_) April 26, 2025
Afterwards, Shedeur looked confused. “Nobody had that number. The number was only in the email thread that the NFL sent out to only teams,” he said.
Shedeur said the NFL gave him that phone specifically for the NFL draft.
The video clip went viral on social media and sparked anger against the NFL.
Dallas Cowboys legend Dez Bryant blamed an NFL coach for giving out the private phone number to prank Shedeur.
They got the number from a coach, and that coach should be fired. https://t.co/jlAn0qpeoi
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) April 26, 2025
ESPN host Stephen A. Smith blamed the NFL for “colluding” to embarrass a Black man, the son of Deion Sanders.
A league spokesperson tells Pro Football Talk that the NFL will be looking into the allegations that a coach leaked Shedeur’s number.
Deion Sanders’ son Shedeur Sanders describes frustrating 2025 NFL Draft experience
“This feel like people who be in jail for something they ain’t do.” pic.twitter.com/5j8jawcZw1
— Kollege Kidd (@KollegeKidd) April 26, 2025
