NFL Draft Prank Call

NFL Draft Prank Call: The Shedeur Sanders Incident and Fallout

NFL Draft Prank Call

Key Points

  • Shedeur Sanders, a top quarterback prospect, received a prank call impersonating a team executive during the NFL draft.
  • Jax Ulbrich, son of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, admitted responsibility and issued a public apology.
  • The incident sparked league and team reviews regarding data exposure and privacy.
  • Notable reactions from NFL legends and the teams involved highlighted the seriousness of the situation.
  • Sanders maintained composure, stating the prank did not impact him.

NFL Draft Prank Call: The Shedeur Sanders Incident and Fallout

NFL Draft Prank Call
NFL Draft Prank Call
NFL Draft Prank Call
NFL Draft Prank Call

The Prank That Rocked Draft Night

NFL draft night is packed with drama, excitement, and the occasional curveball, but this year, Shedeur Sanders’ experience took an unexpected turn. As the highly touted quarterback waited for his name to be called, a prank call momentarily threw a wrench into his celebration. The caller, using Sanders’ exposed private number, impersonated New Orleans Saints GM Mickey Loomis and led Sanders to believe a selection was imminent. Unsurprisingly, confusion rippled through the room, with Sanders left wondering what the cryptic phone call meant for his professional future.

Source and Apology: Ulbrich Steps Forward

The story quickly unraveled on social media, and it wasn’t long before Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, owned up to his actions. Jax had jotted down Sanders’ number from his father’s open iPad and later used it to make the ill-fated prank call. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Jax admitted the prank was “completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful,” expressing regret for hijacking Sanders’ milestone moment. According to reports, Sanders graciously accepted Jax’s apology by phone.

Reaction Across the NFL

News of the prank sparked swift reactions across the league. The Falcons issued a formal statement, apologizing to Sanders and pledging to review data security protocols to prevent anything similar from happening again. They clarified that Jeff Ulbrich was oblivious to both the breach and Jax’s mischief until after the incident came to light.

Meanwhile, the incident drew strong words from football legend Bernie Kosar, who called the prank “beyond sadly disgusting.” Kosar took to social media to praise Sanders’ poise in the aftermath, as the quarterback responded with maturity and refused to let the negativity define his draft experience.

League Investigation and Broader Issues

The NFL itself has opened an investigation to understand how Sanders’ information was compromised and why such calls were able to happen. Other prospects, like Chase Lundt and Tyler Warren, admitted to receiving similar hoax calls during the draft, highlighting an emerging concern for player privacy in such high-stakes moments.

Sanders: “It Is What It Is”

Throughout it all, Sanders remained impressively level-headed. Speaking to reporters after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round, much later than initially projected, he downplayed the impact of the prank, choosing not to feed into “childish” behavior. His response struck a chord with fans and players alike, reinforcing the idea that while pranking is nothing new to sports, respecting pivotal moments shouldn’t be optional.

Looking Forward: Lessons and Reactions

In the aftermath, the Falcons, NFL, and player representatives are all reevaluating their privacy practices. While the incident took some shine off Sanders’ draft night, it became a learning moment for both organizations and individuals involved. Ultimately, Sanders’ dignified reaction stood out as the true story—a reminder that even in the face of questionable antics, professionalism and self-control always make headlines.

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