It’s never too early to start planning for the first game of the NFL season. The leagues announced on Wednesday that the Vikings and Steelers will open up the preseason with the Hall of Fame Game.
“We are tremendously excited about the opportunity to kick off the 2015 NFL preseason on a national stage,” Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf said in a statement. “This trip will give our young team a chance to appreciate the many players and individuals who have made the game what it is today.”
The Hall of Fame Game has taken place on the first or second Sunday in August — the evening after the Hall of Fame inductions take place.
The Steelers will be opening their preseason a day after one of their all-time greats, running back Jerome Bettis, gets inducted into Canton. Bettis, linebacker Junior Seau, defensive end Charles Haley, wide receiver Tim Brown and guard Will Shields were named the five modern-day 2015 inductees.