Falcons & Jeff Ulbrich Fined $350K After Jax Ulbrich Prank Called Shedeur Sanders

In a relatively unprecedented NFL draft week plot twist, the Atlanta Falcons and their defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, are dealing with serious blowback not for a play on the field but because of an over-the-line prank gone wrong that sent shockwaves throughout the league.

The NFL fined the Atlanta Falcons $250,000 and Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 after his son, Jax Ulbrich, played a prank call to college football recruit and star Shedeur Sanders. The call incorrectly stated that Sanders was taken by the New Orleans Saints in the NFL Draft, leaving many parties red-faced and calling into question information security and behavior among NFL employees and their families.

Jax Ulbrich is said to have called Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders. Jax pretended to be a Saints member in the prank and let Sanders falsely believe he'd been drafted. The occurrence spread rapidly throughout football circles and caught the attention of league officials because of its proximity to draft-related communications.

"The Atlanta Falcons have been fined $250,000," the NFL stated in a release, "and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 for failing to prevent the disclosure of confidential information distributed to the club in advance of the NFL Draft." Secrecy is one of the hallmarks of the NFL Draft process, and even one perceived leak, whether a joke or not, can lead to a swift response from the league. In this instance, the NFL ruled that the franchise should have protected the sensitive material but failed to, whether intentionally or by mistake.

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The Falcons organization followed up after the fine with an official statement in which the team said it respects the league's decision. "We were proactive in addressing the situation internally and cooperated fully with the league throughout the process," the team said. "And accept the discipline levied on Coach Jeff Ulbrich and the organization."

The team also said Ulbrich's family would work with the NFL to make this a learning experience. They have also agreed to take part in league-sponsored community relations efforts on a proactive basis to promote responsible behavior and information management during this sensitive league operations process. Even though it was likely meant to be playful initially, the entire situation highlights the need for professionalism, even when that person is technically not on your team. So long as the NFL functions as a high-stakes, high-profile corporation, the actions of people in the orbit of league employees can still reap serious consequences.

It's a reminder that timing and context make all the difference, even in a world where humor and sports frequently intersect. The NFL's quick response is another example of how the league will protect its product and image, particularly in high-profile times like the draft. For Jeff Ulbrich and the Falcons, this fine is a reminder, albeit expensive, of the fine line between personal life and professional obligation in the public eye.