CBS Sports radio host Jim Rome drew the ire of music enthusiasts and decent people everywhere when he called the members of college marching bands “dorks” on Twitter during the Rose Bowl game between Oregon and Florida State University on Thursday.
“Is there anyone not in a marching band who thinks those dorks running around with their instruments are cool?” Rome asked in a tweet during the game, according to TheWrap. The tweet was quickly deleted after Rome’s comment drew swift condemnation from the music community and media outlets.
“Our band members, or any band members are NOT dorks. They’re part of the finest tradition at MN,” wrote the Minnesota Tigers high school football team.
“Proud to be the announcer for the dorkiest college marching band in the country,” wrote Bill Nevin, voice of the WVU marching band.
The backlash against Rome’s comment was so great that it even inspired its own hashtag, #MarchOnRome.
Rome quickly apologized for the comment Friday morning.
Band nation – I hear you. I was out of line. I apologize. I do not condone bullying of any kind and that was not my intent.
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) January 2, 2015
However, college marching band fans were less than impressed by the radio host’s apology.
“If you really want to apologize, donate to support high school/college music programs. Most are quite underfunded,” wrote Twitter use Loren Mullen.
Rome is not the only person to get caught up in criticism for directing mean comments toward members of a college marching band; in October 2013, Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola was accused of yelling hateful comments at the University of Wisconsin marching band before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
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