The Atlanta Falcons said in a statement Sunday that 21-year-old Jax Ulbrich copied Shedeur Sanders’ contact phone number off his father’s open iPad while visiting his parents’ home “to later conduct a prank call……Read more
The Atlanta Falcons issued a statement Sunday addressing a developing controversy involving 21-year-old Jax Ulbrich, son of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. According to the team, Jax accessed an open iPad belonging to his father while visiting his parents’ home and copied the personal contact information of Shedeur Sanders, star quarterback at the University of Colorado and son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. The Falcons acknowledged the incident, describing it as a “poorly thought-out prank” and clarifying that neither Jeff Ulbrich nor the organization was involved.
The Falcons emphasized that Jax Ulbrich is not employed by the team in any capacity and that his actions were “taken independently” without the knowledge of anyone within the Falcons’ organization. “While we regret that this situation occurred, we want to make it clear that Jax’s behavior does not reflect the values or professionalism of the Atlanta Falcons,” the statement read. “We have spoken with all parties involved to ensure accountability and to reaffirm our commitment to upholding high standards both on and off the field.”
Reports indicate that after obtaining Sanders’ number, Jax later attempted a prank call. Details about the nature of the call remain unclear, but sources close to Sanders’ camp confirmed that the interaction was unwanted and prompted immediate concern. Given Shedeur Sanders’ rising national profile — both as an elite college athlete and a high-profile figure in the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) landscape — any breach of his personal privacy carries heightened implications. His father, Deion Sanders, has not issued a public statement yet but is reportedly monitoring the situation closely.
The NFL has strict policies regarding the handling of personal information, even when involving non-players and non-employees. Although Jax Ulbrich’s prank is not expected to trigger a formal league investigation, it has nevertheless raised questions about information security and professionalism within the Falcons’ organization. Insiders suggest that the team may implement additional security protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, including stricter access controls on team-issued devices used in private homes.
As of Sunday evening, Jax Ulbrich had not issued a public apology or statement of his own. However, sources close to the Ulbrich family indicated that he expressed remorse privately and acknowledged that the prank was in “extremely poor taste.” It’s unclear whether any further disciplinary measures — either internally by the Falcons or personally by his family — will be pursued. For now, the Falcons appear eager to contain the incident, stressing their “zero tolerance” approach to breaches of privacy and inappropriate conduct.
This episode comes at a time when professional sports organizations are increasingly vigilant about the behavior of those within their wider circles, including family members. With tensions high and reputations closely guarded, even an isolated misstep like this one can ripple outward, affecting relationships, recruitment strategies, and public perception. As the NFL offseason continues and the Falcons prepare for key upcoming dates, the team will be hoping to move past this moment quickly — but not without taking internal lessons from an incident that has drawn unexpected national attention.
