‘The biggest reasons' why Jeff Ulbrich didn't quit after Shedeur Sanders prank fiasco
'In all honesty, I never went there, but I felt nothing but support from the organization in every single way — from the people that worked the line in the cafeteria to (owner Arthur Blank) himself, all of them,' Ulbrich said Wednesday, per ESPN. 'I felt great support from him. It was one of the biggest reasons, in all honesty, that I came back here, because of the organization and what I think of this building.'
5 Jeff Ulbrich speaking with reporters Wednesday.
@AtlantaFalcons/YouTube
Ulbrich, the new Falcons defensive coordinator, became embroiled in a national controversy after Jax participated in a prank call to Sanders during last month's NFL draft.
Jax secretly snatched Sanders' number from an open iPad at his parents' home and sat alongside a friend who called him, tricking Sanders into believing he had received the call he had been waiting his whole life for before the friend informed Sanders he would 'have to wait a little longer.'
5 Jax Ulbrich (l) during the prank call.
@DingusMcDinkle_/X
Jeff received a $100,000 fine for his son's actions, while the Falcons were handed a $250,000 fine.
He called both his and his son's action 'inexcusable.'
5 Shedeur Sanders being pranked.
@jayden77x/X
'First of all, I would like to publicly apologize to Shedeur and the Sanders family for what occurred,' Jeff said in April. 'Second of all, I want to publicly apologize to Mr. Blank, Terry Fontenot, Raheem Morris and the entire Falcons organization. My actions — my actions — of not protecting confidential data were inexcusable. My son's actions were absolutely inexcusable, and for that, we are both deeply sorry.
'The NFL has taken action and I fully respect the punishment. We take full responsibility, both my son and myself, and we will not be appealing the fine in any way. Going forward, I promise my son and I will work hard to demonstrate that we are better than this. Again, I am deeply sorry for our actions.'
5 Jeff Ulbrich during his time leading the Jets.
Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Jax also apologized on Instagram.
'On Friday night I made a tremendous mistake,' the college student wrote. 'Shedeur, what I did was completely inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful. I'm so sorry I took away from your moment, it was selfish and childish. 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. Thank you for accepting my call earlier today, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.'
5 Jeff Ulbrich during January 2025.
AP
Jeff joined the Falcons after an underwhelming run as the Jets' interim head coach in the wake of Robert Saleh's firing, going 3-9.
He previously served as Atlanta's defensive coordinator in 2020 before joining Saleh with the Jets to serve in the same capacity.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Terry Bradshaw, Aaron Rodgers Do Not Agree Politically
Terry Bradshaw, Aaron Rodgers Do Not Agree Politically originally appeared on The Spun. Terry Bradshaw and Aaron Rodgers have some drama brewing heading into the 2025 season. Bradshaw, a four-time Super Bowl champion, made it clear that he wasn't a big fan of Rodgers, who signed with his Pittsburgh Steelers. Bradshaw said earlier this year that he wished Rodgers would just stay in California and "chew" on some bark. "That's a joke. That to me is just a joke," Bradshaw said of Pittsburgh's interest in Rodgers on 103.7 The Buzz back in May. "What are you gonna do? Bring him in for one year, are you kidding me? "That guy needs to stay in California. Go somewhere and chew on bark and whisper to the gods out there." Rodgers, meanwhile, responded to Bradshaw at training camp over the weekend. His response was pretty classy. "I've known Terry for a long time, being a part of FOX," Rodgers said, speaking to NFL Network's Kyle Brandt. "Terry's a legend. He's an absolute legend. He won four Super Bowls. He's had a legendary career in the media. "But Terry, like a lot of people, doesn't know me. So he's got an idea of what he thinks about me based on what I've done, the documentary, what I've said, darkness retreat, whatever the hell you want to talk about." While Rodgers and Bradshaw might have a lot in common on the football field, they've said pretty different things politically over the years. Bradshaw announced that he left the Republican Party, choosing to be an independent. He criticized President Trump, too. 'I've been a Republican, but now I'm a registered independent. I don't want to alienate anyone, and the minute you say, 'I'm a Democrat' or 'I'm Republican,' you're kicking off the other side. I want the best person [in the White House], and I'll pick the one who's most like the way I feel,' he announced. Bradshaw took issue with how President Trump criticized NFL players for kneeling for the anthem. "This is America. If our country stands for anything, folks, it's freedom. People died for that freedom. I'm not sure if our President understands those rights—that every American has the right to speak out and to protest. Believe me, these athletes do love this great country of ours," Bradshaw stated. He added: "Personally, I think our President should concentrate on North Korea and healthcare rather than ripping into athletes and the NFL." Rodgers, meanwhile, has shown his support for President Trump over the years, even posting a photo of himself shaking hands with POTUS on social media. He said it was "priceless." Rodgers has said that he would like to get to know Bradshaw, so hopefully that'll happen before the 2025 NFL season. But the duo might have some disagreements in the world of politics. Terry Bradshaw, Aaron Rodgers Do Not Agree Politically first appeared on The Spun on Jul 27, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Why this Seahawks Sunday off from training-camp practice was a great day for Charles Cross
Charles Cross assuredly is happier about his contract situation today than he was yesterday. When asked about his contract situation Saturday at Seahawks training camp, the starting left tackle who is guaranteed to remain with Seattle through 2026 but wants to be here longer said he and his agent have not started talks with his team on a new deal. 'No, not yet,' he said. The 24-year-old and Seahawks first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft also said Saturday: 'I want to be in Seattle for my career. That's something I've always thought of and wanted for myself. 'Hopefully, we can get something done and it'll go that way.' Then came Sunday. While Cross rested on a Seahawks day of from training-camp practices, the Los Angeles Chargers and Rashawn Slater re-set the top of the league's market for left tackles. The Chargers gave Slater, a 26-year-old two-time Pro Bowl selection, a four-year, $114 million contract with a eye-catching $92 million guaranteed, per multiple reports. Slater is now the league's highest-paid offensive lineman at an average of $28.5 million annually. Slater's deal is higher than the $27.55 million Trent Williams averages, at age 37, for the San Francisco 49ers. Those will be the comparisons the Seahawks and Cross' agents at Klutch Sports Group will use in negotiations on a multiyear extension Seattle general manager John Schneider would like to agree to with Cross before next year. Schneider and the Seahawks chose this spring to exercise their fifth-year option on Cross, at $17.56 million guaranteed for 2026. They did it to ensure their cornerstone left tackle remains in Seattle beyond his rookie deal that ends after the 2025 season. They also did it to buy time to strike a new deal beyond 2026 that would have a better salary-cap charge for next year than the $17.56 million currently on the Seahawks' books for Cross. Comparing Cross and Slater Slater's new deal sets the new, highest bar for left tackles. It will also raise the market value for the other left tackles that sign deals over the next year. That's the way NFL contracts and comparative values work. Timing is everything. Cross' agents will have a challenge to get the Seahawks to pay their client Slater money. Yet there's no doubt Cross' next payday got higher on Sunday. The Chargers selected Slater with the 13th pick of the 2021 draft. The Seahawks selected Cross with the ninth pick of the 2022 draft. He became one of the first-round picks Seattle got from Denver in the Seahawks' trade of Russell Wilson to the Broncos in March 2022. Cross has played 100%, 99% and 100% of the offensive snaps in his first three NFL seasons for Seattle. He missed three games because of a sprained toe in 2023. Slater was been selected to two Pro Bowls to Cross' none. Slater has more of an injury history than Cross. Slater missed 14 of 17 games in his second NFL season of 2022 because of a torn biceps. Another of the measurables agents use in negotiating contracts and making comps with teams on other NFL contracts is Pro Football Focus' player grades. That's particularly true for offensive linemen who don't have easily identifiable statistics of rushes, catches, yards and touchdowns. Cross graded 10th in the league out of 140 tackles rated by PFF last season. Slater was second in the NFL, per PFF. The 11 highest-paid offensive linemen in terms of annual average contract value begin at Slater's $28.5 million per year and go through the $20 million per season Detroit's Taylor Decker and Baltimore's Ronnie Staley get from their teams. Cross' agents will have easier times comping their client above Decker and Staley and $20 million per year. Both at 31, Decker and Staley are each seven years older than Cross. Cross' value rises in new Seahawks system Cross and Seahawks tackles have added value in the new outside-zone blocking scheme arriving offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is installing in this training camp. The point of attack for many of the outside-zone running plays is the gap between the tackle and the tight end. The ball carrier makes his decision where to cut and run based of the tackle's ability to drive his man through the destination zone of the called run. Cross is going to have a prime chance to showcase his worth this season, particularly in run blocking and again as the backside pass protector of a right-handed quarterback, Seattle's Sam Darnold. 'We're running off the ball,' Cross said Saturday, with a smile. 'It's very exciting just being able to run off the ball. Move the line of scrimmage and create holes for our backs and let them do their thing.' Cross the key in Kubiak's system for a lineman and a tackle in particular is 'making great decisions. Seeing the defense and being able to decide which decision is the right decision to make.'
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Report: Steelers Tight End Feared to Have Season-Ending Injury
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. There is a lot of excitement surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers heading into the 2025 NFL season. With Aaron Rodgers now the team's starting quarterback and the other aggressive offseason moves the team made, the Steelers are expected to be a Super Bowl contender. While the team also expects to be a contender, there are still questions that need to be answered. Can Rodgers get back to being a superstar for Pittsburgh? Do the Steelers have enough weapons at wide receiver for him? Will the defense be able to slow down the other elite offenses around the NFL? Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the Pittsburgh Steelers OTA offseason workout at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 6 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the Pittsburgh Steelers OTA offseason workout at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 6 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo byOutside of Rodgers, the front office brought in stars like Jalen Ramsey and DK Metcalf. Jonnu Smith was also acquired in the Ramsey trade. T.J. Watt received a major contract extension as well. Read more: Bills' Josh Allen Sends Clear Message on What Drives Him This Season Unfortunately, Pittsburgh might have suffered a season-ending injury during training camp. According to a report from Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live, rookie tight end and fullback DJ Thomas-Jones is feared to have torn his Achilles during Sundy's practice. "Thomas-Jones was seen getting his left foot or ankle looked at, and he had his shoe off," Farabaugh wrote. "Whenever he moved, he could not put any weight on his left leg. He was carted off the field and did not return." Thomas-Jones, who was signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft, was a player the team was high on. Sadly, his season could be over before it even begins. During his senior season for South Alabama, Thomas-Jones caught 22 passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns. He caught 27 passes for 235 yards and five touchdowns in 2023. Read more: Report: Denver Broncos Suffer Brutal Injury News During Training Camp Pittsburgh should be just fine at the tight end position despite the injury to Thomas-Jones. The Steelers have both Pat Freiermuth and Smith at the position. Rodgers will still have two elite tight ends to work with during the 2025 season. Hopefully, if the injury is a torn Achilles, Thomas-Jones will be able to make a quick and full recovery with no setbacks. He has clearly made enough of an impact early on for Pittsburgh to be excited about his future. Expect to hear an official report about Thomas-Jones in the near future. For more on the Pittsburgh Steelers and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
