Story highlights CBS sportscaster calls marching band members "dorks running around" with instruments

Band nation responses with #MarchOnRome showing what being in a band means to them

(CNN) Sports personality Jim Rome apologized for calling members of marching bands "dorks" after Band Nation schooled the professional provocateur on what it takes to be in a band.

The CBS sportscaster, who has earned a reputation for name-calling and starting fights, started the controversy on Thursday with a tweet that has since been deleted.

"Is there anyone not in a marching band who thinks those dorks running around with their instruments are cool?"

That moment @jimrome became public enemy #1 of bands across the world. You messed with the wrong dorks. #MarchOnRome pic.twitter.com/Q6BBYD8ios — CollegeMarchingBands (@CollegeMarching) January 2, 2015

Musicians and marching bands responded using the hashtag #MarchOnRome with a few examples of why being in a marching band is more than running around a field, prompting Rome to apologize.

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

For example, when was the last time you or Rome had an audience with the Pope in Italy?

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