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Written by: E. George
Published April 30, 2025 @ 3:20 PM ET
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – The NFL has fined the Atlanta Falcons $250,000 and issued a $100,000 penalty to defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich following an internal security lapse that led to a prank call targeting quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the 2025 NFL Draft weekend.
According to the league, the Falcons were disciplined for failing to safeguard confidential draft-related information adequately. An internal investigation revealed that the personal contact information of draft prospects, including Sanders, was accessed by Ulbrich’s 21-year-old son, Jax Ulbrich, who was visiting his parents’ home at the time.
While at the residence, the younger Ulbrich found an open iPad containing sensitive draft data. He copied Sanders’ phone number and later shared it with a friend, who impersonated a general manager from another NFL team and called Sanders during the draft. The call, which falsely claimed to be from the New Orleans Saints, took place as Sanders awaited selection by an NFL team.
Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and current University of Colorado coach Deion Sanders, was eventually drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. The prank call, however, disrupted a pivotal moment in his professional career, prompting action from both the Falcons organization and the NFL.
Following the incident, the Falcons cooperated with the league’s inquiry and acknowledged that the data breach stemmed from improperly handling confidential material. Though Jeff Ulbrich was not initially aware of his son’s actions, the defensive coordinator accepted responsibility for the oversight and notified team officials after learning what had occurred.
The Falcons stated they had reviewed their data security procedures and emphasized their commitment to preventing future breaches. The organization also confirmed that the Ulbrich family will engage in community service initiatives as part of their response to the incident.
The fines come at a time when the NFL has prioritized protecting sensitive information surrounding the draft process. League officials cited the Falcons’ failure to prevent unauthorized access as a breach of established data security protocols.
Although the prank did not result in any long-term consequences for Sanders’ draft status, the situation has raised concerns across the league about the potential for similar incidents, particularly in an era where digital information is readily accessible and vulnerable to misuse.
The Falcons, who had a strong showing in the 2025 draft by adding key talent to their defense, acknowledged that the incident overshadowed an otherwise productive weekend. The team has committed to reinforcing training and awareness among staff regarding data privacy, both on and off team premises.