The last few years, the NFL season has kicked off on a Thursday night at the home stadium of the defending Super Bowl champion. This year, the season will once again begin in the home of the defending Super Bowl champion, as the New York Giants will host the season opener. It will not, however, take place on a Thursday night. Rather, the 2012 season will kick off on a Wednesday night.
The reason for moving up the season opener by a day is simple. The NFL didn't want the game to conflict with President Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention. Rather than try to work it out on that day, the league decided to go ahead and change the date, giving the NFL its first Wednesday game since the Detroit Lions played in one back in 1948.
Last NFL game on Wed was 9/22/48 (Rams-Lions) RT @NFLprguy: #NFL opener on Wed 9/5 to avoid conflict w/Pres Obama’s Thurs nite speech @ DNC
— Jon Zimmer (@NFLhistory) February 28, 2012
It will definitely be a bit odd to be watching an NFL game on a Wednesday, but hey, this just means there is one less day to count down until the 2012 season begins.