The son of former New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich apologized Sunday after admitting he prank referred to as Shedeur Sanders throughout the NFL Draft.
Jax Ulbrich, 21, posted an apology on Instagram. He additionally mentioned he referred to as Sanders to personally ask for forgiveness.
“I’m so sorry I took away from your moment, it was selfish and childish,” Ulbrich wrote. “I could never imagine getting ready to celebrate one of the greatest moments of your life, and I made a terrible mistake and messed with that moment.”
Sanders was extensively anticipated to be a prime decide within the draft however as an alternative slid all the way in which to the fifth spherical, when the Cleveland Browns took him with the 144th decide. On Friday evening, throughout rounds two and three of the draft, Sanders acquired a name from somebody pretending to be New Orleans Saints normal supervisor Mickey Loomis.
“We’re going to take you with our next pick, man, but you’re going to have to wait a little bit longer, man. Sorry about that,” the caller mentioned earlier than hanging up. Video confirmed a confused Sanders turning to his draft celebration and asking, “What does that mean?”
Ulbrich bought Sanders’ non-public quantity off his father’s iPad, and his buddy spoke to Sanders on the prank name. Jeff Ulbrich, 48, completed final season because the Jets’ interim head coach and was employed by the Atlanta Falcons within the offseason as their defensive coordinator.
NFL Draft prank calls have a prolonged historical past. In 2023, one other anticipated prime decide who fell throughout the draft, Will Levis, acquired a prank name on the finish of the primary spherical. He was ultimately chosen within the second.
Elsewhere this yr, Indianapolis Colts first-round decide Tyler Warren mentioned he acquired a prank name earlier than his choice, and Buffalo Payments sixth-round choice Chase Lundt advised reporters he bought a number of faux calls earlier than he was ultimately picked.