Like a Vulcan wedding, the NFL Draft is steeped in longstanding honour and tradition. A time honoured rite of passage for college football players to enter the next level of the game – a game they had loved since childhood.
But that honour and tradition was shattered this past weekend when the son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich (Jax) made a “prank” phone call to Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders who was waiting to hear his name as a drafted player.
Expected to go in the first round on Thursday night, Sanders had to wait until Saturday afternoon in the fifth of seven rounds to hear his name called when he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns.
In response to the “prank”, the NFL has fined the Atlanta Falcons $250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been fined $100,000!
The NFL noted that the fines were in relation to Falcons and Ulbrich failing to keep confidential information from being obtained and distributed.
The Falcons acknowledged that they accept the NFL’s punishment.
Ulbrich has apologized to the Sander family, Shedeur Sanders, and Falcons owner Arthur Blank and the organization in a news conference, saying, “My actions — my actions — of not protecting confidential data were inexcusable. My son’s actions were absolutely inexcusable, and for that we are both deeply sorry. The NFL has taken action and I fully respect the punishment. We take full responsibility, my son and myself, and we will not be appealing the fine in any way. Going forward I promise my son and I will work hard to demonstrate we are better than this.”
Via a statement, the Falcons noted that they appreciated the “swift and thorough review” of the matter by the NFL, “we were proactive in addressing the situation internally and cooperated fully with the league throughout the process, and accept the discipline levied to Coach Jeff Ulbrich and the organization. We are confident in our security policies and practices and will continue to emphasize adherence to them with our staff whether on or off premises.”
The Falcons added that the Ulbrich family, “is working with the organization to participate in community service initiatives in relation to last week’s matter.”
The Falcons noted that Jax Ulbrich saw the personal phone number of Shedeur Sanders on an open ipad while visiting his parents’ home.
According to the Falcons, Jeff Ulbrich was not aware of his son’s involvement in the prank call until after the fact; but once learning of it, called the Sanders family to apologize.
Ulbrich said, “the Sanders family, Shedeur and Coach Sanders, were amazingly gracious. More gracious than they needed to be in a moment like this.”
The Falcons also offered an apology; as did Jax Ulbrich via social media.
Abdul Carter, Tyler Warren, Kyle McCord, Mason Graham and Chase Lundt have all reported receiving prank draft calls. The NFL is investigating.