Feeling a rush: Air drummer at Ravens game draws nearly 7 million views: The understated toughness....

Feeling a rush: Air drummer at Ravens game draws nearly 7 million views:

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- A couple of days ago, Peter Zirpolo was known for being the vice president of the Baltimore Ravens’ marching band.

Now, he's the most popular air drummer in history.

Zirpolo was caught on camera during the Ravens' season-opening 47-3 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, rocking out to Rush as the song "Tom Sawyer" blared at M&T Bank Stadium. In the driving rain, the hooded Zirpolo masterfully jammed on his imaginary drum kit, moving his arms up and down to the 1981 rock classic.

The 23-second video, which was posted by a Rochester, New York, sports anchor, went viral with 6.85 million views as of Tuesday night.

Best of NFL Nation

• Corey Coleman just the latest Pats' WR move
• After Bosa injury, Chargers need to find pass rush
• Jags knew Myles Jack would be a star
• Ravens air-drummer finds his calling
• Bucs' play-calling gets fresh perspective

Zirpolo, 54, a systems analyst for a government contractor, was unaware of his instant fandom until a couple of friends texted him that he was all over Twitter.

"I looked it up, clicked on the link and I was like, ‘Oh my God,'" Zirpolo said.

His air drumming has gained so much attention that Rush's official account retweeted the video.

"I could not believe it," Zirpolo said. "The Professor [Rush drummer Neil Peart] is my idol. So when I saw that, I was like, 'No way. This is cool.'"

Even the Ravens are aware of the new star in their stadium.

"It was awesome," kicker Justin Tucker said. "He looked just like Neil Peart."

Zirpolo isn't a novice when it comes to actually picking up the sticks. He played drums from fourth grade through high school, joining a bunch of garage bands along the way.

A broken wrist coming out of high school ended his run as a drummer. He donated his kit to a local high school.

About 15 years ago, Zirpolo joined the Marching Ravens, along with his three kids. He stopped playing instruments five years ago and took an administrative role with the band. At games, he has been known to pretend he has a microphone while singing to AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long."

Around 10 years ago, Zirpolo was shown on the stadium's video boards doing the air drums.

"It’s not the first time I’ve gotten caught," Zirpolo said.

This is the first time that he has become an internet sensation. During Monday Night Football, Zirpolo kept track of the views along with Jordyn Johnson, the Ravens' coordinator of events and entertainment, and Daniel Fake, the band's musical director.

The numbers jaw-droppingly went from 200,000 views to 300,000 to 500,000.

"I know the power of social media," he said. "It’s incredible, especially with something this silly. Thank God, it’s been all positive."

A few commenters have critiqued his technique and his timing in striking his pretend cymbals.

What are Zirpolo's future plans now that everyone will be looking for him at games?

"The air drumming will be continuing," Zirpolo said. "I’m not going to hide in a corner."

The understated toughness of Bengals QB Andy Dalton:

INDIANAPOLIS — Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton probably won’t say it, so his teammates will say it for him.

He’s tougher than anyone might think, and he probably would be the last one to voice that opinion.

Dalton isn’t one to publicly complain, so he was clearly upset on Sunday night following the Bengals’ win against the Colts. His relaxed demeanor and smile at the podium hid most of it, just like his jacket hid the sleeve that went from his forearm to his elbow.

Best of NFL Nation

• Corey Coleman just the latest Pats' WR move
• After Bosa injury, Chargers need to find pass rush
• Jags knew Myles Jack would be a star
• Ravens air-drummer finds his calling
• Bucs' play-calling gets fresh perspective

According to the Bengals’ radio broadcast, Dalton had been icing his triceps on his non-throwing arm after the game, the result of many shots he took throughout the day. He had also been hit in the head more than once during the game, and there was one incident he was particularly irritated about.

On an incomplete pass midway through the third quarter, a Colts defender brushed Dalton’s helmet hard enough to yank his head around. Dalton was mad enough after the play that he quickly walked over to an official and yelled that he had gotten hit in the head, pointing at his helmet as he tried to make his case. He was denied.

“To get hit in the head, pretty obviously, if he’s supposed to be looking at me and that wasn’t called. You know you just kind of have to deal with it,” he said.

He added: “I thought it was pretty clear that I got hit in the head, but I guess he missed it.”

There’s likely only one reason he said anything, and that’s because multiple Bengals players said they felt there was a difference in how officials treated Dalton and Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.

Out of 15 penalties among both teams, three were for hits on Luck. Bengals safety Shawn Williams was ejected for unnecessary roughness for a flagrant hit to Luck’s helmet, and Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap was flagged twice for roughing the passer.

Now in his eighth season, Dalton has missed only three regular-season games in his career. All three came in 2015 after Dalton suffered a broken thumb while trying to make a tackle following an interception.

To lose Dalton in that way didn’t sit well with the rest of the team, and prior to the next season, then-Bengals cornerback Adam Jones went on a radio show and said it had been made clear that Dalton’s tackling days were over.


Andy Dalton's tackle after Kenny Moore's interception may have saved the game for the Bengals. Bobby Ellis/Getty Images
Whether Jones was half-serious or joking didn’t matter, because it clearly wasn’t going to stop Dalton. Last year, he ran down 270-pound Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to stop him after he picked up a fumble by John Ross.

He was at it again on Sunday when he awkwardly tackled Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II to stop an interception from turning into a pick-six. Dalton had been picked off after getting hit in the arm by Colts defensive tackle Al Woods.

His tackle ultimately made sure the Colts got nothing out of the play, because Bengals linebacker Preston Brown intercepted Luck on the next series. It was enough of a game-changer that Bengals coach Marvin Lewis immediately pointed out Dalton’s play in his opening statement.