Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich Announces Decision On Wednesday

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Apr 30, 2025 2:19 PM ET

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich took time Wednesday to address the NFL's punishment for his son prank-calling Shedeur Sanders.

Jax Ulbrich, 21, a football player at Berry University, was responsible for obtaining Sanders' new phone number from a confidential NFL email that had been sent to his father. He used the number to participate in a prank call to the University of Colorado quarterback during last weekend's NFL Draft. During the interaction, the caller told Sanders that he was about to be drafted by the New Orleans Saints, only to then taunt him and hang up.

On Wednesday, the NFL announced it was fining the Falcons $250,000 and Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 for ailing to prevent the disclosure of confidential information."

Ulbrich told reporter this afternoon he "fully respects" and accepts the NFL's punishment and will not be appealing the decision.

Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich's opening statements in his press conference addressing the fines the league placed on him and the Falcons organization for the role they played in the Shedeur Sanders prank call over the weekend.

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"First of all, I would like to publicly apologize to Shedeur and the Sanders family for what occurred," Ulbrich said, "Secondly, I want to publicly apologize to [Falcons owner Arthur Blank], [general manager] Terry Fontenot, [head coach] Raheem Morris and the entire Falcons organization.

"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, both 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 that we are better than this. Again, I am deeply sorry for our actions."

Jax Ulbrich himself issued a public apology to Sanders on Sunday afternoon.

FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 31: Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich of the New York Jets talks to reporters before the teams OTAs at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on May 31, 2023 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)Rich Schultz/Getty Images

"On Friday night I made a tremendous mistake," he began. "[Shedeur], what I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful. I'm so sorry I took away from your moment, it was selfish and childish.

"I could never imagine getting ready to celebrate one of the greatest moments of your life and I made a terrible mistake and messed up that moment," he continued. "Thank you for accepting my call earlier today, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. @shedeursanders."

Jeff Ulbrich also said Wednesday that he reached out to the Sanders family and they were "more gracious than they needed to be."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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