Jim Rome calls band members uncool 'dorks' and learns you don't mess with the band

Sports talk host Jim Rome tweeted this out New Year's Day during the college football playoffs: "Is there anyone not in a marching band who thinks those dorks running around with their instruments are cool?"

Oops, big mistake. Rome soon learned that band "dorks" know how to use social media and pummeled him on Twitter under the hashtag #marchonrome. A day later, Rome deleted his tweet and threw in the towel:

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

Good for Rome to apologize. It was a cheap shot and bought into all the stereotypes about band members being dorks and nerds (and gay in many people's minds). He has been great on the issue of gays in sports over the years and I am glad he saw his tweet for the insult it was.

But the #marchonrome hashtag is still going strong and some of the replies are terrific:

I don't know @jimrome he was more successful then you'll ever be. #MarchOnRome pic.twitter.com/jhXBqn1jxL

— Patrick Arnold (@PatrickArnold95) January 3, 2015

Yep, we're all "dorks". Every last one of us. #MarchOnRome @jimrome

— Brook™ (@BrookWeber) January 3, 2015

I'm not in marching band, but I am amazed what bands like OSU's can do while playing beautifully. It's seriously incredible. #MarchOnRome

— cassidy (@cranbryjuice) January 3, 2015

@chadg "@ShawnIzadi: Damn right we are cool @jimrome. Even the football players want to join. #MarchOnRome pic.twitter.com/m3h9Zi0d3P"

— Blaine (@BlaineJacob) January 3, 2015

@JimRome Julia Roberts, Tom Selleck, Richard Gere, Halle Berry, Steven Spielberg & Samuel L. Jackson were in marching band #MarchOnRome

— Cypress_B (@cypress_b) January 3, 2015

MT "@UTsandiego: After apology, marching bands 1, Jim Rome 0: http://t.co/G8QhT5Cpvu #MarchOnRome wins today. pic.twitter.com/szHRiLRoFP"

— AF Band Golden West (@BandGoldenWest) January 3, 2015

Shoutout to everyone in a #MarchingBand #MarchOnRome! http://t.co/W8CsTljtz5

— Brenda Moffitt (@brendamoffitt) January 3, 2015

Quite literally, I would not exist if it weren't for those "dorks" in marching band. My parents met through band! #MarchOnRome

— Emma Harris (@TheEmmaJayne) January 3, 2015

Just "running around with our instruments," and serving our country. #ProudtobeinBand #romeisburning #MarchOnRome pic.twitter.com/IXXXdnvbbv

— The Army Field Band (@fieldband) January 2, 2015