The Atlanta Falcons have extended a formal apology to Shedeur Sanders following an incident during the 2025 NFL Draft. The controversy arose when Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of the Falcons' defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, made a prank call to Sanders under the guise of the New Orleans Saints' general manager, Mickey Loomis.

Incident Details

• Prank Call: In a video circulating on social media, Sanders is heard receiving a call from someone claiming to be Mickey Loomis, who falsely informed Sanders that he would be the next pick for the Saints.
• Draft Outcome: Despite the prank, Sanders was selected by the Cleveland Browns as the 144th overall pick in the fifth round.

Falcons' Response

• Official Statement: The Falcons issued a statement condemning the behavior and apologizing to Sanders and his family. They emphasized that Jeff Ulbrich was unaware of the incident until after it occurred.
• Protocol Review: The team is reviewing and updating their protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Jax Ulbrich's Apology

• Social Media Statement: Jax Ulbrich publicly apologized on social media, calling his actions a "tremendous mistake" and expressing regret for overshadowing Sanders' draft moment.

Shedeur Sanders' Reaction

• Impact: Sanders downplayed the incident, stating it did not significantly affect him and acknowledged that everyone makes mistakes.

Background

• Family Connection: Sanders' father, Deion Sanders, a Hall of Famer, began his NFL career with the Falcons and coached Shedeur at Colorado.
• Baseball Career: Deion Sanders also played in the World Series for the Atlanta Braves in 1992.

This incident highlights the importance of professionalism and respect in sports, even during high-pressure events like the NFL Draft.