If you’ve spent any time stuck in Los Angeles traffic with the radio dial mashed to AM 570, you know the voice. It’s a rhythmic, gravelly incantation that sounds like a cross between a Brooklyn street vendor and a Zen monk who just mainlined a gallon of espresso. Vic the Brick Jacobs isn't just a sportscaster. He’s a vibe. A frequency. A guy who turned a foam brick and a purple robe into a local religion.
But lately, the airwaves have felt a little... quieter.
People keep asking: where’s Vic? Is he retired? Is he okay? The truth about Victor Jacobs—the man behind the "Feeling You!" catchphrase—is way more interesting than just a guy who likes haikus. It’s a story about a Cornell grad who decided that traditional sports broadcasting was too boring to live, so he set it on fire and danced in the ashes.
The Origin of the Brick: It Wasn't Just a Gimmick
Most people think the whole "Brick" persona started in Los Angeles. Wrong.
Vic actually earned his stripes (and his nickname) during a stint in Fresno back in the mid-80s. He was a sports anchor at KMPH-TV, and he was already getting weird. Whenever he saw a play or a front-office move he hated, he’d whip a foam brick at the camera lens. It was visceral. It was loud. It was exactly what 1980s local news wasn't supposed to be.
Before that? He was a counter-culture nomad.
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We’re talking about a guy who grew up in Queens, played hoops with future NBA exec Ernie Grunfeld, and then basically vanished into the South Pacific. He spent five years roaming Tahiti, Guam, and Fiji. He covered cockfights. He worked as an assistant beverage manager at a hotel. He even got fired from a station in Austin, Texas, for bringing a live Longhorn steer into the studio—which proceeded to relieve itself all over the floor.
Honestly, that’s the most Vic thing ever. He didn't just report on the game; he invited the chaos of the game into the room.
Why Vic the Brick Jacobs Still Matters in a World of "Hot Takes"
We live in an era of corporate, polished, "safe" sports media. You’ve got guys in $3,000 suits yelling at each other for clicks. Vic the Brick Jacobs did the opposite.
He leaned into the "Zen-do." He wore fur hats, ponchos, and carried a gong. While everyone else was arguing about "Effective Field Goal Percentage," Vic was writing haikus for Kobe Bryant. He was telling fans to "Get Empty."
The Lakers Connection
His relationship with the Lakers, specifically during the Kobe and Shaq era, was legendary. He wasn't just a reporter in the scrum; he was a presence. Kobe actually liked him. Why? Because Vic didn't ask the same boring questions about the pick-and-roll. He spoke the language of the "Warrior."
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When Vic yelled "C'mon now!" or told a player he was "feelin' him," it wasn't a PR stunt. It was a genuine connection to the emotional heartbeat of the city. He represented the "Ciudad"—the City of Angels—in a way that felt like he was one of us, just with a much cooler wardrobe.
The Health Battle and the "Zen-do"
Around 2019-2020, fans started noticing Vic was on the air less. The "Loose Cannons" days with Steve Hartman and Mychal Thompson were long gone, but even his hits on the Petros and Money Show started to thin out.
It’s no secret that Vic has dealt with health challenges. He began broadcasting more from his home—the legendary "Zen-do." The L.A. Times and various local reports noted that his radio segments were often what kept him going through the rough patches.
By late 2024 and heading into 2026, his presence on KLAC became sporadic. Reddit threads and Twitter (X) are constantly filled with "Is Vic the Brick okay?" queries. While he’s stepped back from the daily grind of a three-hour show, his legacy is baked into the concrete of Los Angeles sports history. He’s an institution. You don't replace a guy who uses a gong to announce a Lakers trade.
What Most People Get Wrong About Him
Is he a character? Sure. But he’s not a fake character.
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That’s the mistake people make. They think it’s a "shtick." If you talk to anyone who has run into Vic in the elevator at the iHeartMedia building in Burbank, they’ll tell you he’s exactly the same person when the mic is off. He really is that positive. He really does think in metaphors.
He studied under the "Beat" poets. He actually stayed in a house with Allen Ginsberg. His style of "stream of consciousness" broadcasting isn't an accident; it’s a practiced art form. He combined the bluster of his idol Howard Cosell with the spiritual leanings of a Buddhist monk.
Actionable Takeaways for the "Feeling You" Life
If you want to channel a bit of that Vic energy in your own life, here’s how you do it without getting fired for bringing a steer into your office:
- Vary your frequency. Don't be the same person every day. Some days you need the foam brick; some days you need the haiku.
- Stay empty. In Vic-speak, this means clearing the clutter out of your head so you can actually react to the moment.
- Connect, don't just report. Whether you're in a meeting or talking to a friend, try to find the "soul" of the conversation instead of just the facts.
- Embrace the eccentric. If everyone else is wearing a suit, maybe it’s time for a fur hat.
Vic the Brick Jacobs proved that you can be a Cornell-educated intellectual and still be the loudest, weirdest, most beloved guy in the room. He didn't just cover the Lakers and the Dodgers; he gave them a soundtrack.
Next time you’re stuck on the 405, turn it up. Even if he’s not on that day, the echo of a "Feeling You!" is still bouncing off the Hollywood Hills.
If you want to keep the "Zen-do" spirit alive, you can start by checking out the archives of the Loose Cannons or listening for his occasional "Guru" segments on AM 570 Los Angeles Sports.