The son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, admitted to prank-calling NFL draft prospect Shedeur Sanders and has since issued an apology.
Prank Call During NFL Draft Raises Concerns
Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of Falcons’ defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, has come under fire for making a prank call to Shedeur Sanders during the NFL Draft. The prank came at a crucial moment in Sanders’ draft experience, as he was awaiting a call from teams interested in selecting him. The call, made to Sanders on Friday, was a hoax, with the caller pretending to be New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis.
Details of the Prank Call
A brief video of the call surfaced on social media, showing Sanders answering the phone. The caller, who claimed to be Loomis, told Sanders, “The Saints are going to take you with our next pick.” The prankster then followed up by saying Sanders would need to wait a bit longer. After the call ended, Sanders appeared confused about the conversation.
Investigation and Apology
Following the incident, the NFL launched an investigation into the prank. The Atlanta Falcons issued a public apology, stating that Jax Ulbrich unintentionally found Sanders’ draft contact number on an open iPad while visiting his parents’ home. Ulbrich later wrote down the number to prank-call Sanders. Jeff Ulbrich, unaware of his son’s actions, only learned about the prank after the fact. The Falcons apologized to Sanders and his family and facilitated a personal apology from Jax Ulbrich.
Jax Ulbrich Issues Personal Apology
Jax Ulbrich took to Instagram to express his remorse for the incident. He admitted his actions were “selfish and childish” and apologized for disrupting such an important moment in Sanders’ life. He expressed his hope that Sanders could find it in his heart to forgive him.
Sanders Responds with Grace
Despite the prank, Shedeur Sanders appeared unbothered when discussing the incident. In a statement, Sanders said, “It didn’t really have an impact on me. It was a childish act, but everybody does childish things here and there.” Sanders was eventually drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round as the 144th overall pick.
Other Prank Calls in the Draft
Shedeur Sanders was not the only player to receive a prank call during the draft process. Penn State tight end Tyler Warren also received a prank call before being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round. These incidents highlight the stress and unpredictability that draft prospects face leading up to their selection.
Conclusion
While Jax Ulbrich’s prank call caused some discomfort, the matter seems to have been resolved with apologies all around. Sanders took it in stride, showing maturity despite the childish prank. The Falcons and Ulbrich family have made efforts to repair any damage caused to Sanders’ experience during the draft.
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