Jeff Ulbrich Feels Total Support After Draft Controversy
Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich revealed that he never felt his job was in jeopardy following the leak of Shedeur Sanders’ phone number and the subsequent prank call made by his son during the recent NFL draft.
In all honesty, I never thought about that, but I felt total support from the organization in every way, from the people who work in the cafeteria to Mr. Arthur Blank himself. I felt a great deal of support from him. It was one of the biggest reasons, in all honesty, why I came back here, because of the organization and what I think of this building.
Jeff Ulbrich
Ulbrich, who was with the Falcons from 2015 to 2020, returned to Atlanta after the dismissal of Jimmy Lake. Previously, he was interim coach and defensive coordinator for the New York Jets.
Last month, Ulbrich was excited about the Falcons’ defensive selections in the draft, including two defensive linemen like Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in the first round. However, the joy turned when he learned that his 21-year-old son, Jax, had made the prank call to Sanders.
According to a statement from the Falcons, Jax copied Sanders’ number from his father’s iPad during a family visit with the intention of playing a prank.
The NFL fined the Falcons $250,000 and Ulbrich $100,000. The Falcons did not impose any additional sanctions. Ulbrich indicated that family discipline has not yet been decided.
On April 27, Jax Ulbrich wrote in an Instagram post that what he did was “completely inexcusable, shameful, and regrettable.” He claimed that Sanders accepted his call.
Sanders, who was expected to be selected in the first round, had to wait until the third day of the draft, when the Cleveland Browns picked him in the fifth round.
Ulbrich offered a public apology at a press conference on April 30, calling his son’s actions “absolutely inexcusable”.
Ulbrich said he was “shocked” to learn of the news. The NFL explained that the fines were for “failing to prevent the disclosure of confidential information distributed to the club prior to the NFL draft.”
Ulbrich confirmed that neither he nor the Falcons will appeal the fine.
