The NFL has a prank call problem on its hands, and reporting is starting to surface on who exactly is receiving prospects’ phone numbers before the NFL Draft.
NBC’s Mike Florio writes that team personnel were the direct recipients of communication from the NFL containing the phone numbers. He has also reported that the phone numbers went to “nearly 2000 people” or roughly 60 people per team.
On Wednesday, the NFL fined the Atlanta Falcons $250,000 and their defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, their role in the prank call to Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the NFL Draft. Ulbrich’s son, Jax, took Sanders’ number from his father’s iPad and used it to dial the Colorado quarterback. The league levied the fines specifically for failing to prevent the disclosure of confidential information distributed to the club in advance of the draft.
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Other prospects like Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter and Commanders offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. also received prank calls that the league is investigating. Carter’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said: “Abdul and I knew it was bs and didn’t even tell his family about the call. It’s unfortunate that these private numbers are getting to the people making the prank calls.”
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Here’s everything to know about the prank calls made during the NFL Draft.
Who received Shedeur Sanders’ phone number?
Florio reports that the phone number for Sanders and other prospects reportedly went to all of the recipients of the NFL’s daily transaction report. That group list includes all coaches and assistant coaches for each team.
The reporter also says that a high-level source with a team that is not the Falcons estimated that 60 people per team receive those emails, meaning that roughly 2000 people league-wide were given prospects’ phone numbers.
NFL fines Atlanta Falcons, Jeff Ulbrich
On Wednesday, the NFL fined the Falcons $250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 for their role in the prank call made to Sanders on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
The Falcons released a statement on Sunday, after it was revealed that Ulbrich’s 21-year-old son, Jax had been involved, saying the organization would cooperate fully with an NFL investigation.
Jeff Ulbrich did not know about the prank call or that his son had Sanders’ number until after the fact. ESPN’ Adam Schefter reported that the Falcons would not punish their defensive coordinator for the situation with Sanders or the leaked phone number.
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Shedeur Sanders prank call
Sanders got the most notable prank call of the NFL Draft during the second round from someone claiming to be Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. It turned out to be Jax Ulbrich, who got Sanders’ number from his father’s team-issued iPad.
When Sanders picked up the phone, the person on the line said: “It’s been a long wait, man. We’re gonna take you with our next pick right here, man.” Sanders responded, “Let’s be legendary.”
The caller then abruptly said Sanders would “have to wait a little bit longer,” and hung up.
More NFL Draft prank calls
There is a sizable list of other prospects who got prank calls during the NFL Draft, including Abdul Carter, Mason Graham, Tyler Warren, Josh Conerly Jr., Kyle McCord, Chase Lundt and Isaiah Bond.
The prank call issue also surfaced during the 2024 NFL Draft, when Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean received a call telling him he would be taken by the Packers. He then told everybody at his watch party it was not real.
Given how widespread and public the issue has become, the NFL could be updating its policies before the 2026 NFL Draft.
SHEDEUR SANDERS NFL DRAFT SLIDE:
