CNN
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The NFL fined the Atlanta Falcons $250,000 and team defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbric a $100,000 fine for the leak of Shedur Sanders’ phone number, the league confirmed Wednesday with CNN.
Falcons DC’s son Jax Ulbrich apologized for Sanders’ naughty appeal on Friday while waiting to be selected in the NFL Draft.
“We would like to thank the NFL’s quick and thorough review of data exposure last week and the events that have occurred,” the Falcons said in a statement Wednesday. “We were proactive in dealing with the situation internally, working fully with the league throughout the process, embracing the discipline imposed on coach Jeff Ulbric and the organization.
“We are confident in our security policies and practices and will continue to emphasize compliance with our staff, whether on-site or off-site. Additionally, the Ulbrich family is working with the organization to participate in the Community Service Initiative on last week’s issues.”
Originally one of the NFL’s most famous draft prospects, Sanders received a call from the general manager of the New Orleans saints.
The day after the hoax, Sanders received a real call from the Cleveland Browns. He was selected as his 144th overall pick in the fifth round on Saturday.
Sanders is the son of Colorado coach and Pro Football Hall of Fame Deon Sanders. The University of Colorado graduates were widely expected to be selected early in the draft due to the number of teams that needed a quarterback.
According to Judy Batista of the NFL Network, draft phone numbers are only available to a limited number of NFL personnel, but the Falcons said Ulbrich’s son saw the Sanders number on his father’s open iPad.
In a statement by the Falcons, the team had pledged to “promote a direct apology from Jax to the Sanders family.” Jax Ulbrich announced a public apology on Instagram on Sunday, thanking Sanders for “accepting my phone previously.”
During a session with reporters on Wednesday, Jeff Ulbric apologized to the Sanders family and the Falcons organization for the mischievous calls.
“My actions to not protect sensitive data were not tolerated,” Jeff Ulbric said. “We are both deeply sorry because my son’s actions were absolutely unacceptable. The NFL has taken action and I fully respect the punishment. We take full responsibility for our son and myself.
When Jeff Ulbric learned of the phone call and immediately made the organization realize what had happened, he added that he was “happy and not shocked.” They then contacted the Sanders family and apologized.
“The Sanders family, Chedur and director Sanders, were incredibly elegant,” Jeff Ulbric said. “It’s more elegant than you needed at a moment like this.”
The NFL told CNN that the league is still investigating other prank calls reported during the draft. The league said these were unrelated to the Ulbrig and Sanders incident.
The story has been updated with additional information.
