The initial two days of the 2025 NFL draft were characterised by the absence of a significant event: the subsequent intense scrutiny and reaction from traditional and social media, as well as the uncontrolled fall of University of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who was expected to be selected in the first round.
Sanders’ predicament was further escalated on Friday, when he received a hoax phone call that he initially mistook for one from general manager Mickey Loomis of the New Orleans Saints, a team that was believed to be interested in him. Rounds 2 and 3 were completed that evening without his selection. (Loomis selected Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough with the 40th overall pick in the second round.)
A surprise contrition was required from yet another NFL club, which employs the caller’s father as its defensive coordinator, after the identity of one of the pranksters was confirmed on Sunday afternoon.
The Atlanta Falcons issued a statement that stated, “Earlier in the week, Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, unintentionally discovered the draft contact phone number for Shedeur Sanders on an open iPad while visiting his parents’ home. He recorded the number in order to conduct a prank call at a later time.” Jeff Ulbrich was not aware of the data exposure or any other aspects of the hoax, and he was only informed of the same after the fact.
“The Atlanta Falcons do not condone this behaviour and extend our heartfelt apologies to Shedeur Sanders and his family. We have been in communication with them to express our regret, and we have also facilitated a direct apology from Jax to the Sanders family.”
We are also in communication with the NFL and will continue to provide full cooperation with any enquiries from the NFL league office.
“We are conducting a comprehensive review of all protocols and, if necessary, updating them to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.”
Jax Ulbrich submitted his own statement of regret to Sanders, describing his actions as “completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful.” Jax Ulbrich also asserted that he had conversed with Sanders via telephone and expressed gratitude for his participation in the conversation.
Since the incident, the NFL has been in communication with the Falcons and has been conducting an investigation.
Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer and Colorado coach Deion Sanders, was ultimately selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round on Saturday. He sparked a flurry of debate regarding the reasons why NFL teams were overlooking him, with rumours circulating regarding his pre-draft interviews, the role of his renowned father, and, in essence, his talent level and the appropriate position in the draft. Despite this, few draft observers predicted that he would be selected later than the second round.
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