( 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 ? '' 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 . For example , when was the last time you or Rome had an audience with the Pope in Italy ? Also , marching band is not just a college thing . The U.S. Army has its own marching band consisting of active service members . The controversy has even prompted an online petition asking CBS Sports to air the Drum Corps International 's World Championship Finals this fall . Here 's to hoping !
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 .