FunnyMaine: Meet the man behind YouTube series uniting SEC fans through laughs

Jermaine Johnson isn’t the Alabama Crimson Tide’s only diehard fan, but he doesn’t watch college football like any of the others. He watches like a stand-up comedian, behind a camera and with a fat supply of one-liners directed at rival schools. His approachable humor makes fellow fans want to watch games with him, and he’s become a YouTube sensation because of it.

"“This is part of my week now. Roll Tide,” said Brent Parker.“My family loves your videos I share them with everyone, every week, said Shayna Laubinger. Wish we could watch a game with you!” Sean Idland said, “I always anticipate your videos every Sunday man. Keep doing what you’re doing. Roll Tide!!!”"

Alabama fans have a reputation for being among the most passionate in college football, and Johnson has found a way to enhance the fan experience through his videos. If the name doesn’t sound familiar, that’s because you probably know him as FunnyMaine, whose Twitter account and YouTube channel are must-follows for the video series “How Alabama Fans Watched.”

The comments above appeared under FunnyMaine’s most-watched video, released after the Week 11 games when Alabama beat Mississippi State to clinch the SEC West. Outside the SEC, Clemson, Michigan and Washington were all upset. Chaos ensued across the sport and some of his finest lines were born. Washington fans wanted a chance at Alabama, holding signs that read “We Want Bama,” but after the Huskies lost 23-16 to USC, a team Alabama beat 52-6 in the season opener, FunnyMaine unleashed a mic-drop quality line:

“Ummmm, Bama beat the team you just lost to, by 46. … No, you don’t!”

His videos showcase his wit and sarcasm. More than that, they’re a way to bring Alabama fans together with a fun and unique experience you won’t find on TV or radio.

“A little creativity, a little fandom,” FunnyMaine said when asked how the idea came to be. “I had limited resources when I made the first video. I was in my hotel room in Nashville, and all I had at my disposal was an iPhone and a couch. I always try to do fan videos that are relatable, so I wondered if anyone watched the games and reacted similarly to me.”

It’s that ability to relate to his audience that makes for a fun post-game experience. Bama fans nod their heads in agreement when he taunts LSU and Auburn after losses. One of FunnyMaine’s purest reactions came after Auburn lost to Georgia; he let out a hearty laugh before saying it was a good “in-state rivalry,” a line that drove Auburn fans crazy. Others laughed at his jabs toward Texas A&M. Following a one-point loss to Ole Miss, he said, “the gig is up,” mocking their gig ‘em slogan. After South Carolina lost to Florida, he suggested South Carolina stop hiring coaches Florida has previously fired.

The Opelika, AL native lives in Birmingham and has been a professional comedian since 2005 when he left his career as a recruiter for Stillman College and as a substitute teacher for Tuscaloosa city schools.

Over the last 12 years, FunnyMaine has seen his act go from small stages to massive arenas, where he’s opened for Kevin Hart, Steve Harvey and Tommy Davidson. While those appearances represent bucket list achievements for him, it was his series of videos that introduced him to a new legion of fans and made him a college football celebrity. Most recently, FunnyMaine performed at the A-Day Comedy Show after the Alabama spring game and released his latest video after the NFL Draft.

The video above has been viewed on YouTube more than 250,000 times, but the series wasn’t an overnight sensation. Much like the way his stand-up performances began on small stages before graduating to large arenas, FunnyMaine’s videos gained traction slowly.

“I think people really grew to enjoy them and no I never got discouraged. I can only control what I can control.” It wasn’t until the third week of the season that FunnyMaine began to see results and the audience began to grow. “It felt good to be chosen by the people,” he said when asked about finding his groove and establishing his voice. “Positivity from the audience kept me going and I definitely have seen the power of social media first-hand.”

FunnyMaine’s blossoming stardom has increased his reach, but it hasn’t changed his fandom. While his career is ascending, thanks in part to these videos, he insists he’s still a normal fan.

“I literally wake up early every Saturday, watch College Gameday, then as many football games as possible. After all the games have concluded, I’ll watch highlights of any I may have missed then turn on my camera and let ‘er rip!”

College football fans don’t tend to react kindly when they hear any whiff of negativity about their teams, but FunnyMaine says the response to his videos has been mostly positive and he feels blessed to be shown the love from Bama fans.

“The response has been amazing from Bama fans,” he said. “They’ve adopted me to represent their interests on the internet and it seems as though they really enjoy the perspective and fashion that I present things! Being able to spread a positive message all year has definitely been a blessing and something that I’ll never take for granted.”

The rivalry between Alabama and Auburn is one of most heated in sports, but he says he hasn’t met too many trolls. The rivals recognize good comedy when they see it and know this is a way to share the fan experience.

“College football fans, in general, send me a lot of encouraging messages. Even though they don’t support Bama, they understand the passion! I haven’t met too many that take the things I say personal, and I’m pretty good at being a SEC homer in general.”

You know you’re doing something right when Tennessee, LSU and Auburn fans all appreciate your work equally.

"“VOL fan all the way. But these videos are great. One day they will be on ESPN… Great work.”. — Tim ClarkI just LOVE your videos! Always looking forward to watching them! Geaux Tigers” — Angela Tatman.“Not a fan of ‘Bama, huge fan of you.”  — Jody Schwieger."

The video series will return this fall, when Alabama kicks off its 2017 season on Sept. 2 against Florida State, and FunnyMaine says things are only going to get better. Beyond that, maybe we’ll see FunnyMaine bring his stand-up set to Netflix or other online mediums. His stand-up act is a big departure from what fans have seen in his YouTube videos. Football is still a part of his routine, but he saves that for the end after he riffs on life for most of his sets.

The “How Alabama Fans Watched” series is just the start for FunnyMaine, who says his only goal is to create something fun for everyone to enjoy every week. He’s quick to mention the possibility of expanding the video series and he’ll explore such opportunities as they come, so keep your eyes peeled this fall for a potentially enhanced version of the series fans fell in love with last season.

“I ultimately just want the videos to make people believe that anything is possible! Never give up on yourself, stay positive and work hard. God will put everything else into place.”

You can find out more about FunnyMaine and where you can see his stand-up act in person at  funnymaine.com.