Shedeur Sanders Faces Prank Call Amid NFL Draft Drama

In a surprising turn of events during the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders, the former Colorado quarterback and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, became the target of a prank call while awaiting his selection. The prank originated from Jax Ulbrich, the son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who publicly apologized for his actions in an Instagram post. According to reports, Jax obtained Sanders' private phone number from an open iPad in his parent's home and called him while he waited, pretending to be New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis. Sanders, who ultimately got drafted by the Cleveland Browns as the 144th pick in the fifth round, expressed that he didn't let the prank bother him, noting that 'I don't feed into negativity'. This incident raises significant questions about how private information of draft prospects can easily be compromised within the NFL and the implications it carries for the league's handling of sensitive data. The NFL has launched an investigation into the leakage of Sanders' number, and the Falcons organization has pledged to review their data protection protocols to avoid future breaches. Sanders' experience at the draft, punctuated by this childish prank, has turned into a sad but insightful commentary on the pressures and unpredictability facing young athletes preparing for professional careers. Beyond the prank, Sanders' fall from being a potential first-round pick to a fifth-round selection has sparked discussions about his on-field performance and off-field character, especially after a breakout college season. His resilience is commendable, with both his father and teammates publicly supporting him, underlining the importance of family solidarity amid public scrutiny and pressure. Additionally, this incident highlights a concerning trend in the draft process, as multiple players have reported similar prank calls, suggesting a need for the NFL to tighten privacy protocols not only for Sanders but for all draft candidates. The Falcons’ decision to not discipline Jeff Ulbrich also raises questions regarding accountability among coaching staff and their families in relation to the draft process. The league and team responses will likely serve as a precedent for future protocols within the league and might influence how data related to prospective players is handled moving forward.