Marching Bands Bite Back Hard After Sportscaster Calls Them 'Dorks.' The Army's Retort Is Just Classic.

Bad boy sportscaster Jim Rome — who once got knocked to the studio floor after he refused to stop insulting an apparently fed-up pro quarterback during a TV interview — has shown he's no match for angry marching bands.

Rome took to Twitter on New Year's Day and then took aim: "Is there anyone not in a marching band who thinks those dorks running around with their instruments are cool?"

Offended musicians everywhere fired back at the sportscaster with the hashtag #MarchOnRome and a storm was quickly brewing:

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

The best response may have been from the U.S. Army, which let Rome know service members are far from "dorks" and do quite a bit more than "running around" with their instruments:

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

The typically unflappable Rome not only took down his offending Twitter post but also was quick to apologize, offering this mea culpa on Friday:

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