NFL Tightens Contact Rules After Prank Call Incident

The NFL is updating its protocols regarding prospect contact lists ahead of this year’s draft. This change comes after a prank call incident involving Shadour Sanders, who was previously removed from the draft roster last April.

As it turns out, Sanders received a prank call from Jax Ulbrich, the son of Jeff Ulbrich, defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. Jax obtained Sanders’ phone number from his father’s iPad while at home. Initially, Sanders was picked in the first round but slid to the second or third rounds on the draft’s second day.

Reports indicate the league is now providing contact information to just one designated individual on each team’s staff. A spokesperson shared that this person will be responsible for safeguarding the sensitive information provided.

This prank call gained considerable attention because Sanders was streaming his draft party live with family and friends when he received the call, which was from someone pretending to be Mickey Loomis, the general manager of the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints, while on the lookout for a quarterback before the draft, opted not to select one in the first round. Other teams, like the Tennessee Titans and the New York Giants, made their quarterback choices early on Day One.

Instead of Sanders, the Saints chose Tyler Schauf from Louisville in the second round, while Sanders had to wait until the fifth round, with the Cleveland Browns picking Dillon Gabriel from Oregon a day before.

In the aftermath, Jeff Ulbrich publicly apologized for his son’s behavior, acknowledging his own role in the initial leak of Sanders’ phone number. He expressed regret during a press conference, calling the situation “inexcusable.”

The NFL responded by fining the Falcons $250,000 and penalizing Jeff Ulbrich with a $100,000 reprimand.

“Both my son and I are dedicated to demonstrating that we can do better,” Ulbrich stated.