After NFL player Michael Sam revealed to the world last February that he was gay, it's now been announced how it got started and who initiated it- public relations man Howard Bragman.

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On Wednesday, The Daily Beast reported that Sam's coming out began with a dinner with the NFL player as the guest of honor. There were several other gay athletes at the dinner, including San Francisco 49ers running back Dave Kopay and San Diego Padres outfielder Billy Bean. Other guests included players who apparently opened up about their support for gay marriage as well as members from OutSports.com. Another guest included Bragman's husband, Chuck O'Donnell.

"I wanted him to meet other gay athletes who have gone through this," Bragman said about Sam and others who have come out to the public. "These guys paved the way for people like Michael. I thought it was important for him to meet them."

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Bragman compared Sam's coming out to talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, saying that these events were both huge moments in history although DeGeneres's time didn't have all the technology that people use to communicate.

"It's certainly one of the two biggest comings out ever. This and Ellen," Bragman said. "But hers was in a different time. You didn't have social media back then. I don't think the president tweeted about it. This broke stereotypes. Football is where gladiators compete in America today."

There appears to be no word if Sam is dating anyone right now, and if Bragman has an idea on that, then he's keeping it under wraps.

"He's just a big ol' teddy bear," Bragman said about Sam. "He's very loveable."

Tags: Michael Sam Howard Bragman