Falcons Invite Braves Manager to 'Put on the Pads' After Standout Tackle

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss made a big hit during a team brawl, catching the attention of the NFL's Falcons.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:58pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting depicting the chaotic energy and physical collision of a baseball brawl, with players' forms dissolving into vibrant brushstrokes of neon colors.A manager's unexpected linebacker skills during a heated baseball brawl have caught the attention of the NFL.Los Angeles Today

During a brawl between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels, Braves manager Walt Weiss made a standout tackle on Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler. The 62-year-old Weiss dropped his shoulder and took the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Soler to the ground, impressing the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, who invited Weiss to 'put on the pads'.

Why it matters

The Falcons' invitation highlights Weiss' unexpected athletic ability at his age, as well as the unpredictable nature of on-field altercations in professional sports. Weiss' tackle also showcased his instinct to protect his players, even against a much larger opponent.

The details

In the bottom of the fifth inning of the Braves' 7-2 win over the Angels, Angels DH Jorge Soler charged the mound after taking issue with a pitch near his head. Weiss, the Braves manager, charged out of the dugout and delivered a solid tackle on the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Soler to take him off his feet and prevent further escalation.

  • The incident occurred in the bottom of the fifth inning on April 8, 2026.
  • The Braves and Angels will play the final game of their three-game series on Thursday, April 10, 2026 at 4:07 p.m. ET.

The players

Walt Weiss

The 62-year-old manager of the Atlanta Braves, who previously played in the MLB and is now being invited by the Atlanta Falcons to 'put on the pads' after his standout tackle during a team brawl.

Jorge Soler

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels, who charged the mound and was tackled by Braves manager Walt Weiss during the team brawl.

Atlanta Falcons

The NFL team that posted a screenshot of Weiss' tackle on social media, inviting the Braves manager to 'come put on the pads'.

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What they’re saying

“I love Soler. We were teammates here. But that's a big man, and so I just felt I've gotta get him off his feet because he's gonna hurt somebody. And so that was my instinct, just to get in there and get Jorge off his feet, yeah, because he was on a warpath.”

— Walt Weiss, Atlanta Braves Manager

What’s next

The Braves (7-5) and Angels (6-6) will look to avoid any more chaos when they play the final game of their three-game series on Thursday at 4:07 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

Weiss' unexpected athletic ability and instinct to protect his players, even against a much larger opponent, has caught the attention of the NFL's Falcons, who see potential in the 62-year-old manager's tackling skills. This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of on-field altercations in professional sports.