The Atlanta Falcons publicly apologized to quarterback Shedeur Sanders after it was revealed that the son of their defensive coordinator played a prank on the rookie regarding his potential selection during the NFL Draft. The incident has prompted the league to open a formal investigation.

A Tough Moment on a Day Meant for Celebration

Shedeur Sanders, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, was considered one of the top prospects to be selected in the early rounds of the Draft held from April 24 to 26. However, he was not picked during the first four rounds, sparking controversy among analysts and fans.

Late on Friday, Shedeur received a call from a private number provided by the NFL specifically for official draft contacts. During the call, a voice led him to believe he was about to be selected, only to later tell him he would still have to wait. These calls are usually moments of immense joy for players and their families, who gather to celebrate the big announcement.

Falcons Admit Responsibility

The Falcons organization admitted that the person behind the prank was Jax Ulbrich, the 21-year-old son of the team’s defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich. According to their statement, Jax accidentally found Shedeur Sanders' contact number and decided to make a prank call. They clarified that Jeff Ulbrich was unaware of the incident until after it occurred.

"The Atlanta Falcons do not tolerate this behavior and we extend our sincerest apologies to Shedeur Sanders and his family," the team said in an official statement. They also mentioned they are fully cooperating with the NFL's investigation and are reviewing internal protocols to prevent similar situations in the future.

Ultimately, Shedeur Sanders was selected in the fifth round, 144th overall, by the Cleveland Browns.