STUDENTS BLOCK GAY FOOTBALLER HATE CHURCH PROTEST

Hundreds of students have blocked a protest by the notoriously homophobic Westboro Baptist Church against recently out American footballer Michael Sam.

Sam attended a basketball game at his former university on Saturday, where he received a standing ovation, reported Boston.com.

Outside the University of Missouri’s Mizzou Arena a handful of church members held up signs that read “death penalty for fags” and “fag enablers” to show their disdain for Sam’s coming out.

Around two thousand students dwarfed the protest and expressed their support for their former college football star by forming a human wall to block out the hate church. Many of the students wore t-shirts and pins that read “Stand with Sam.”

When Sam walked onto the court to accept a trophy together with the Mizzou Tiger football team at halftime, he received thunderous applause from the audience.

Some in the crowd held up signs with messages like “We love Michael Sam.”

On Sunday, Sam tweeted a picture of the student blockade (above) with a message: “Thank you for all of my Mizzou family for your support. Divided we are weak, Together we are Strong. #OneMizzou.”

Sam, who completed his final year at the university in 2013, was said to be among the most sought after players by the National Football League (NFL).

He came out as gay just over a week ago, receiving praise from the likes of President Obama amidst concerns that he could have endangered his chances of being drafted by a team. If selected, he will become the first openly gay player in the NFL.