The \$350,000 Prank Call: How Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft Livestream Exposed A Massive Data Breach And Led To Record Fines

Dec 21, 2025 • minute read

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The digital age has brought unprecedented transparency to the NFL Draft process, but for Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders, it also exposed a major league security flaw. As of December 19, 2025, the fallout from a viral prank call Sanders received during his live-streamed draft wait has resulted in significant financial penalties and raised serious questions about the confidentiality of prospect contact information. This incident, which occurred during the second day of the 2025 NFL Draft, quickly became one of the most talked-about controversies of the year, highlighting the fine line between a harmless joke and a serious organizational breach.

The prank, initially viewed as a cruel joke on a highly-touted prospect, escalated into an official NFL investigation when it was revealed that the caller had access to a confidential list of draft prospects' phone numbers. The league’s swift and severe response—levying heavy fines against a major franchise and a high-ranking coach—underscores the gravity of the data leak and the potential competitive disadvantage it could have created for college football players transitioning to the professional ranks.

Shedeur Sanders: Biography and Profile

Shedeur Deion Sanders is a prominent figure in American football, known for his dynamic play at the quarterback position and his high-profile family lineage.

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Full Name: Shedeur Deion Sanders
Born: February 7, 2002
Age (as of 2025): 23
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Father: Deion Sanders (NFL Hall of Famer and Head Coach of the Colorado Buffaloes)
High School: Trinity Christian School (Cedar Hill, Texas)
College Career: Started at Jackson State University (JSU) before transferring to the University of Colorado Boulder (CU) to play for the Colorado Buffaloes under his father.
College Highlights: Set numerous records at JSU and became the face of the "Prime Time" era at Colorado, known for his composure and accuracy.
NFL Draft Status (2025): Drafted by the Cleveland Browns.
Signature Style: Often referred to as "SS2" or "Coach Prime's Son," he is known for his calm demeanor under pressure and his significant NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) valuation.

The Infamous Prank: What Happened on Draft Day?

The incident that sparked a massive NFL investigation took place during the second day of the 2025 NFL Draft, specifically on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Shedeur Sanders, who was widely projected as a potential first-round pick but experienced a draft slide, was hosting a live stream event at his home, surrounded by family and friends, including his brother, Shiloh Sanders, and father, Deion Sanders.

While waiting for a legitimate call from an NFL team, Sanders received a call that he believed was the real deal.

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The caller, who identified himself as Mickey Loomis, the General Manager of the New Orleans Saints, told Sanders that the Saints were planning to draft him with their next pick.

The moment of excitement and anticipation was captured on the live stream. However, the call quickly turned sour when the voice on the other end revealed it was a prank.

The devastating nature of the joke, delivered during one of the most pivotal and stressful moments of a young athlete's career, was immediately apparent to viewers and to the Sanders family.

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The clip of the prank call went viral, generating millions of views and massive public backlash against the person responsible for the cruel joke.

Unmasking the Prankster and the Data Breach

The controversy quickly shifted from a simple prank to a serious issue of league security when the identity of the caller was revealed.

The prankster was identified as Jax Ulbrich, the son of Atlanta Falcons Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.

The key question was how a civilian, even one related to an NFL coach, gained access to the confidential contact information of a draft prospect like Shedeur Sanders.

An NFL investigation concluded that the confidential list of prospect phone numbers had been improperly accessed and shared within the Falcons organization, ultimately making its way to Jax Ulbrich.

The phone numbers are provided to NFL teams by the league on the eve of the draft and are strictly for official communication, such as notifying a player they are about to be drafted.

The leak was classified as a data breach, compromising the integrity of the draft process and violating the league's strict confidentiality protocols.

This incident highlighted the vulnerability of inside information and how easily it can be misused, impacting the emotional and professional lives of draft prospects.

The NFL’s Severe Response: Record Fines and Accountability

In a move that sent a clear message across the league, the NFL announced severe penalties against the Atlanta Falcons and Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.

The Atlanta Falcons organization was fined \$250,000 for the role the franchise played in the data breach and the subsequent compromise of prospect confidentiality.

Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was personally fined \$100,000 for his direct connection to the leak, holding him accountable for the security lapse that occurred through his family member.

The total financial penalty of \$350,000 is one of the largest fines ever issued by the NFL for a non-competitive violation related to draft integrity.

The league emphasized that the fines were not for the prank itself, but for the fundamental breach of trust and the unauthorized sharing of sensitive, confidential information.

This unprecedented disciplinary action serves as a stark warning to all NFL personnel about the importance of securing draft data and maintaining the integrity of the selection process. The league is determined to protect the privacy and professional dignity of all incoming players, including high-profile athletes like Shedeur Sanders.

Despite the ordeal, Shedeur Sanders was eventually selected by the Cleveland Browns, putting the focus back on his professional football career. His experience, however, has led to a much-needed conversation about security protocols and ethical conduct within the NFL Draft environment, ensuring that future prospects are protected from similar exploitation.

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