Answer to Jim Rome

Dear Mr.Rome:
No one really cares that you called them,"dorks." The most insulting part of the incident was your apology, for acting like a bully.
 The sad part is that you do not realize how cool marching bands are.Consider the fact that the vast majority of band members are not going to be professional musicians, and none are going to get great fame or riches as musicians.Yet, most of them can read music, play a musical instrument, or have skill with some sort flag,weapon etc.,and execute synchronized maneuvers,far more complex than any offense. The vast majority are not on band scholarship. They are the "super fans" that always have the teams` backs, win or lose.The great ones play entirely new shows at every home game as well as a pregame show. Anyone who went to a big time football school,knows that certain feeling they get when their band plays the fight song.
Besides being skilled musicians,and selfless team supporters,it takes an enormous amount of physicality to march for ten minutes when breathing can only be done as the music allows.Football players certainly do not ever exert themselves for that length of time.
The great marching bands represent the greatness of their universities,by performing at any large campus activity,and serve as the centerpiece for the university`s pride and spirit.The Ohio State Marching Band has been getting 15 million hits a week on YouTube.How many opportunities do most people get to perform in front of 100,000 people? The Oregon Marching Band got free trips to Pasadena and Dallas in successive weekends, while Ohio State got to go to New Orleans and Dallas.That was after going to Indianapolis for the Big 10 Championship,and Oregon going to San Francisco for the Pac-12 Championship.
Personally,I always thought the best part of being in the marching band was going into enemy territory and trying to negate the home field advantage.That is when the bond between the team and the band can really be established.
So I do not think anyone felt bullied by your comments,but I was surprised that you of all people,who has always had such an awareness of what is  "cool,"did not appreciate how "cool" marching band really is.Do yourself a favor and watch the Ohio State Halftime Shows from 2014.Then make a point of attending a World Class Drum and Bugle Corps Show this summer .The Drum Corps International Schedule can be found on their website.I promise you will be glad you did.Sincerely,David Gaynes