Jump to content

Vic Jacobs: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
GreenC bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
2,363,942 edits
(23 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{more footnotes|date=June 2008}}
{{more footnotes|date=June 2008}}
{{Infobox person
⚫
'''Victor Jacobs''' (born December 12, 1952), also known as Vic "The Brick" Jacobs, is an [[United States|American]] radio and television [[sportscaster]]. He is best known as a former co-host of ''The Loose Cannons'', a sports radio talk airing nationally on [[Fox Sports Radio]]. He is known for eccentric behavior, like wearing fur caps and robes, and writing Lakers [[haiku]] poems to read on-air. During Manny Ramirez's time as a Dodger, Jacobs created a nickname for Ramirez, "El Maniaco".
| name = Vic Jacobs
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1952|12|12}}
| birth_name = Victor Jacobs
| other_names = Vic "The Brick" Jacobs
| nationality = American
}}
⚫
'''Victor Jacobs''' (born December 12, 1952), also known as '''Vic "The Brick" Jacobs''', is an American radio and television [[sportscaster]]. He is best known as a former co-host of ''The Loose Cannons'', a sports radio talk airing nationally on [[Fox Sports Radio]]. He is known for eccentric behavior, like wearing fur caps and robes, and writing Lakers [[haiku]] poems to read on-air.


==Early years==
==Early years==
Jacobs grew up on the streets of [[Queens]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. He is a graduate of [[Cornell University]], and got his start in broadcasting in [[Guam]], back in 1979. Jacobs also had other sports broadcasting stints, working at KTVV (now [[KXAN-TV]]), in [[Austin, Texas]], [[KMPH-TV]] in [[Fresno, California]],<ref name="SI">{{cite journal|last=Taaffe|first= W.|date=8/3/87|title=Flipped out in Fresno.|journal=Sports Illustrated|volume=67|issue=5|pages=65|issn=0038-822X|url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1066246/index.htm}}</ref> and radio and television outlets in [[Phoenix, Arizona]]. Jacobs began his broadcasting career at Western Albemarle High School in Crozet, Virginia. Announcing games for the Warriors, Victor often found himself in conflict with legendary basketball coach and BC Eagle, Darren Maynard. Maynard would frequently question Jacob's wealth and would ask him to, "Put your money up." In 1988, Jacobs arrived in Los Angeles and at [[KCOP-TV]], where he was the station's sports Anchor. It was starting there that Jacobs' eccentric personality came to light, and was most remembered for throwing a foam brick at the camera, for anything that he disagreed with.<ref name="SI"/> However, the "Brick" was used on his Austin, Texas sportscasts as far back as the mid-1980s. During that time, antics also included bringing a pig into the studio to publicize the University of Texas/University of Arkansas rivalry, and wearing of mascot hats of Longhorn rivals for the same reason. He signed off his Austin broadcast segment by shaking his finger and announcing, "From the nation's capitol!". Jacobs also used the phrase "You see the brick? You got the brick!" as he threw it at the TV cameras during his "Austin days". Jacobs also provided sports reports to the [[Rick Dees]]' radio program on Los Angeles' [[KIIS-FM]] in the early 1990s. Jacobs also used the phrase "You see the brick? Eat It!" on the radio. Jacobs began to approach sports reporting in a very unorthodox manner, accounting for his curious appeal and derision.
Jacobs grew up in [[Queens]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. He is a graduate of [[Cornell University]], and got his start in broadcasting in [[Guam]], back in 1979. Jacobs also had other sports broadcasting stints, working at KTVV (now [[KXAN-TV]]), in [[Austin, Texas]], [[KMPH-TV]] in [[Fresno, California]],<ref name="SI">{{cite magazine|last=Taaffe|first= W.|date=1987-08-03|title=Flipped out in Fresno.|magazine=Sports Illustrated|volume=67|issue=5|pages=65|issn=0038-822X|url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1066246/index.htm}}</ref> and radio and television outlets in [[Phoenix, Arizona]]. Jacobs began his broadcasting career at Western Albemarle High School in Crozet, Virginia. He announced games for the Warriors. In 1988, Jacobs arrived in Los Angeles and at [[KCOP-TV]], where he was the station's sports Anchor. It was starting there that Jacobs' eccentric personality came to light, and was most remembered for throwing a foam brick at the camera, for anything that he disagreed with.<ref name="SI"/> However, the "Brick" was used on his Austin, Texas sportscasts as far back as the mid-1980s.


The stint at KIIS led Jacobs to help launch the new sports-talk format at KIIS's AM sister station, the newly renamed KXTA (1150 AM, now [[KEIB]]). The new station was based on the popular [[XETRA-AM|XTRA Sports 690]] in San Diego, a sister station then-owned by [[Jacor Communications]] (now part of [[Clear Channel Communications]]). On March 10, 1997, Jacobs was first voice heard on the new XTRA Sports 1150, as a solo host of a midday program. Later on, he was teamed with NBA superstar and future [[Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Famer]] [[Karl Malone]] and [[Pro Football Hall of Famer|NFL Hall of Famer]] [[Terry Bradshaw]] in hosting duties.
The stint at KIIS led Jacobs to help launch the new sports-talk format at KIIS's AM sister station, the newly renamed KXTA (1150 AM, now [[KEIB]]). The new station was based on the popular [[XETRA-AM|XTRA Sports 690]] in San Diego, a sister station then-owned by [[Jacor Communications]] (now part of [[Clear Channel Communications]]). On March 10, 1997, Jacobs was first voice heard on the new XTRA Sports 1150, as a solo host of a midday program. Later on, he was teamed with NBA superstar and future [[Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Famer]] [[Karl Malone]] and [[Pro Football Hall of Famer|NFL Hall of Famer]] [[Terry Bradshaw]] in hosting duties.{{Citation needed|date=March 2019}}


In 2011 he was inducted into the [[Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame]].<ref>[https://scjewishsportshof.com/jacobs-vic.html Vic “The Brick” Jacobs]. scjewishsportshof.com</ref>
Jacobs handles traffic and has done weekly features going over L.A. Rams picks against the spread with sports radio spokesperson [[Jon Price]] during the afternoon drive segments.

==The Loose Cannons==

For several years, Jacobs appeared as a member of the sports radio talk show ''The Loose Cannons'' which is broadcast weekday afternoons nationally on [[Fox Sports Radio]] with show hosts [[Steve Hartman (sportscaster)|Steve Hartman]] and former host of Access Hollywood, [[Pat O'Brien (radio and television personality)|Pat O'Brien]].

Jacobs was often mocked by fellow radio personalities and audience members because of his odd personality quirks. He was known to have an enormous collection of hats (a lot of them [[fur]]) that he wore on the air along with other fur articles of clothing he can be seen wearing at Laker home games. He wears his hair long and usually out or in a ponytail. According to Jacobs, his hair growth comes from a bet he made with [[Los Angeles Lakers]] star [[Kobe Bryant]]. According to Jacobs, the bet states that Jacobs will cut his hair when Bryant retires from basketball as a member of the [[Los Angeles Lakers|Lakers]]. He also has a large walrus mustache and [[muttonchops]].

===Feeling You!===

Jacobs been credited{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}} for two popular local Los Angeles catch phrases, of which the most frequently used is ''Feeling You!'' (which can also be heard repeatedly by the myriad of audience members who call into the show). ''Feeling You!'' is meant to represent Jacobs' allegiance with the fans of the city of Los Angeles, mainly ones of the [[Los Angeles Lakers|Lakers]], [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] and the [[UCLA Bruins]]. KLAC is the radio flagship home of the Lakers and Bruins, the former Los Angeles radio outlet for Raiders games, and during the KXTA incarnation, was the radio home of the Dodgers.

''Feeling You!'' is the most popular phrase Jacobs brings to sports radio. This can probably be attributed to the aforementioned fact that Jacobs grew up in Queens, New York City and brings that kind of east coast flavor and attitude to broadcasting. Jacobs constantly stresses ''coming out of the darkness into the light'', to quote another catch phrases he uses on air to describe an athlete or a caller, or sports news in general. He also frequently waxes moronic on ''The Loose Cannons'' as well, with an urban style and delivery. He often makes references to Eastern philosophies such as [[Zen]] and [[Bushido]], and concludes each Loose Cannons broadcast with a freeform poetry recitation. Another favorite phrase is an enthusiastic "C'mon" and "C'mon, now!" as an encouragement to callers and fans.

===Bamboo use===

In 2008, Jacobs began to add a new, if ill-fated, facet to his quasi-warrior philosophy by bringing stalks of bamboo to Laker games. It was his contention that the Laker players, like the bamboo, needed to learn how to, "bend, not break" in their efforts to win the NBA Championship. In the fall of 2008, Jacobs extended the use of the bamboo to the [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA football team]]. The Bruins' new head coach, [[Rick Neuheisel]], not only embraced Jacobs as an unofficial mascot, but also imparted the wisdom behind the bamboo to his players. Despite his efforts, they finished the 2008 season with a record of 4-8, losing to USC by a score of 28-7 in the season finale. This was the third consecutive time the bamboo has been ineffective. The first was given to Phil Jackson before the Lakers were defeated by the Boston Celtics in the [[2008 NBA Finals]]. The second time the bamboo was put in an empty locker in the Laker locker room before a game with the Detroit Pistons. (The Lakers were undefeated until that night.) Despite a record of 0-3 Jacobs still insists that it is good luck.

==Los Angeles billboards==

To draw listeners to Jacobs, KLAC AM 570 began a major advertising campaign of the station during the summer of 2006. It included Jacobs beaming out from large billboards plastered all over Los Angeles, appearing to weave a spell of some sort, and the words "Feelin' you!" screaming out from behind him. Jacobs demanded that Steve Hartman and Michael Thompson be used and featured in the promotion. He stated that ''Feelin' You!'' is the mantra of the show, and fans of ''The Loose Cannons'', Thompson and Hartman should be given just as much credit or publicity. To his dismay Thompson and Hartman were left out.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}}

==Departure from The Loose Cannons==

In early October, 2012, Jacobs stopped appearing on the Loose Cannons show and was removed from the show's web site on FoxSportsRadio.com. Despite widespread speculation that he was removed due to a personality conflict with co-host Pat O'Brien, the remaining hosts stated on-air that he was reassigned to cover the Los Angeles Lakers. Other sources confirmed this reassignment to cover the Lakers for the local Fox Sports Radio affiliate, KLAC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://socalmediawatch.blogspot.com/2012/10/vtb-officially-gone-from-cannons.html|title=Blogger|publisher=|accessdate=11 September 2014}}</ref> O'Brien has stated on the air and on his Twitter account that this move from a nationally-distributed show to a local reporting assignment was a promotion for Jacobs and that he is now better-paid and happier.

==Personal life==

* He is of Hungarian Jewish descent.
* He is a musician in a rock & roll soul band, "MWA".
* He has two older siblings Barnett and Priscilla
* He has six nieces and nephews
* He has two great-nieces and nephews, Everest and Eva
* In early 2017 he was diagnosed with colon cancer. PRAY FOR HIM!


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
*[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LA&p_theme=la&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EF515D4F00FD47D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM VIC THE BRICK HAS HIS EYES ON L.A.]
*[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LA&p_theme=la&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EF515D4F00FD47D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM VIC THE BRICK HAS HIS EYES ON L.A.]
*[http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/66410382.html?dids=66410382:66410382&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Mar+03%2C+1989&author=Larry+Stewart&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Like+Those+Bricks%2C+Vic+Bounces+Back+From+a+Rocky+Start&pqatl=google Like Those Bricks, Vic Bounces Back From a Rocky Start]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110524231135/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/66410382.html?dids=66410382:66410382&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Mar+03,+1989&author=Larry+Stewart&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Like+Those+Bricks,+Vic+Bounces+Back+From+a+Rocky+Start&pqatl=google Like Those Bricks, Vic Bounces Back From a Rocky Start]


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 18:44, 28 July 2024

Vic Jacobs
Born
Victor Jacobs

(1952-12-12) December 12, 1952 (age 71)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesVic "The Brick" Jacobs

Victor Jacobs (born December 12, 1952), also known as Vic "The Brick" Jacobs, is an American radio and television sportscaster. He is best known as a former co-host of The Loose Cannons, a sports radio talk airing nationally on Fox Sports Radio. He is known for eccentric behavior, like wearing fur caps and robes, and writing Lakers haiku poems to read on-air.

Early years

Jacobs grew up in Queens, New York. He is a graduate of Cornell University, and got his start in broadcasting in Guam, back in 1979. Jacobs also had other sports broadcasting stints, working at KTVV (now KXAN-TV), in Austin, Texas, KMPH-TV in Fresno, California,[1] and radio and television outlets in Phoenix, Arizona. Jacobs began his broadcasting career at Western Albemarle High School in Crozet, Virginia. He announced games for the Warriors. In 1988, Jacobs arrived in Los Angeles and at KCOP-TV, where he was the station's sports Anchor. It was starting there that Jacobs' eccentric personality came to light, and was most remembered for throwing a foam brick at the camera, for anything that he disagreed with.[1] However, the "Brick" was used on his Austin, Texas sportscasts as far back as the mid-1980s.

The stint at KIIS led Jacobs to help launch the new sports-talk format at KIIS's AM sister station, the newly renamed KXTA (1150 AM, now KEIB). The new station was based on the popular XTRA Sports 690 in San Diego, a sister station then-owned by Jacor Communications (now part of Clear Channel Communications). On March 10, 1997, Jacobs was first voice heard on the new XTRA Sports 1150, as a solo host of a midday program. Later on, he was teamed with NBA superstar and future Hall of Famer Karl Malone and NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw in hosting duties.[citation needed]

In 2011 he was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Taaffe, W. (1987-08-03). "Flipped out in Fresno". Sports Illustrated. Vol. 67, no. 5. p. 65. ISSN 0038-822X.
  2. ^ Vic “The Brick” Jacobs. scjewishsportshof.com
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vic_Jacobs&oldid=1237221800"