Supporters of gay football player Michael Sam rallied to block the view of picketers from the Westboro Baptist Church on Saturday, during a basketball game that the NFL hopeful was attending.

Sam's supporters -- possibly more than one thousand people -- lined up outside the University of Missouri stadium with signs, flags, and t-shirts proclaiming their solidarity. Eventually, Sam's allies went inside for the game, where, during halftime, Missouri's football team was honored for their victory at the Cotton Bowl over Oklahoma State.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the event was Sam's first public appearance since his coming out last weekend.