When college football player Michael Sam came out of the closet last week, he sparked national speculation about whether or not an openly gay player would be drafted to the NFL.

And whenever there is a national conversation about LGBT issues, the Westboro Baptist Church likes to try to steal headlines.

Which is why many weren't surprised to hear the sign-waving hate speech addicts were planning to protest Sam's public appearance at the school—to accept the 2014 Cotton Bowl championship trophy during halftime at a Mizzou basketball game.

When the Westboro Baptist Church showed up to shame and insult Sam on his home turf, it may not have expected to see the hundreds of students who support Sam.

In a quiet and respectful protest, University of Missouri students lined up for more than half a mile along the path Sam traveled to the stadium, declaring their love for him. They wore shirts saying they stood with him and linked arms in the face of the Westboro vitriol spewers.

As one protester said, "God is love."