“It was a roller coaster of emotions,” Jeff Ulbrich said of the 2025 NFL draft weekend. After spending six years with the Falcons, rising through their ranks, Ulbrich took on the role of defensive coordinator for the New York Jets. His time in New York also saw him serve as the team’s interim head coach after Robert Saleh got sacked midseason. Considering he couldn’t impress on the hot seat, the Jets also moved on from him. And that brought him back to Atlanta. However, his return wasn’t just another classic homecoming. Instead, thanks to his son’s prank call to Shedeur Sanders, Jeff’s world was turned upside down. As for the Falcons, they were caught in a limbo, whether to levy more sanctions on Ulbrich after the punishment he had already received.
Jeff was absolutely brimming with excitement after witnessing the Falcons’ commitment to a defensive overhaul. “It was a great joy and elation, and so rare in the draft that things fall to you in that way,” Ulbrich said after the NFL draft concluded. His Falcons just went all guns blazing in the first round to land two star pass rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. Though it raised a few eyebrows, it showed the Falcons’ commitment to backing Ulbrich. Now, when you think the draft was supposed to just give Ulbrich enthusiasm for the upcoming season, that’s when things got murky.
The mood around the Falcons camp shifted quickly as Sanders’ prank caller was revealed to be Jeff’s son, Jax. He had apparently copied down Sanders’ number, which was supposed to be confidential, from his father’s open iPad. Knowing how one of Jax’s friends impersonated Saints GM Mickey Loomis to prank Sanders about picking him in the second round, the NFL didn’t take the matter lightly. After some investigation, they handed both Falcons and Ulbrich heavy fines. Falcons were fined $250,000 while Ulbrich landed a $100,000 punishment.
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 08: Falcons linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich the regular season NFL, American Football Herren, USA game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers on December 08, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Photo by David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire NFL: DEC 08 Panthers at Falcons PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon9531912080252
It was widely expected that the Falcons would also punish their DC. However, ESPN has since reported that the Falcons didn’t levy any additional misery on Ulbrich. Instead, the Falcons were pretty supportive of their defensive coordinator behind the scenes. “I felt nothing but support from the organization in every single way. From the people that worked the line in the cafeteria to owner Arthur Blank himself, all of them,” Ulbrich stated.
Though the Falcons didn’t take any drastic measures against Ulbrich, it’s not like he would follow the same against his son. Jeff also revealed whether or not Jax would receive any intrafamily discipline from him.
Jeff Ulbrich doesn’t allow his son to get a clean chit
Whatever Jax did on Day 2 of the NFL draft, and the person against whom he did it, was always going to face consequences. And once he was caught as the mastermind behind the prank call to Shedeur. He didn’t waste any time issuing an apology to him. Jax called his act “completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful.” The Falcons also chipped in to send a public apology to Shedeur Sanders. In a statement, they said, “The Atlanta Falcons do not condone this behavior. And send our sincere apologies to Shedeur Sanders and his family.”
As for Sanders, he didn’t seem too concerned about the matter. Of course, he didn’t condone it, but in the end, Sanders believes it didn’t affect him. “It didn’t really have an impact on me. Of course, I feel like it was a childish act, but everybody does childish things here and there.” However, it didn’t really matter what Sanders thought of the situation that went viral. At the time when Sanders was already going through a lot, given that he fell out of the first round, the prank call took advantage of his misery. He picked up that call, hoping his draft slide finally came to an end. But nah, it was just Jax’s friends kidding with him.
That’s why Jeff Ulbrich won’t let his son walk free without any punishment. He told ESPN that disciplinary action against Jax has yet to be decided: “We’re still working through that.” Jeff also believes this incident will only make Jax a better person later on in his life. “It’s going to make my son better because of it.” Hopefully, Jax will learn a strong lesson from this situation. And ensure such a thing doesn’t ever happen again.
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