The Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans agreed to the biggest NFL draft trade in decades on Wednesday night, then – as a sign of respect to Kobe Bryant playing his last game as a Los Angeles Laker that evening – withheld announcing it until the next morning.

Too bad the NFL didn’t use the same courtesy when it compiled its schedule, which was released amid much fanfare on Thursday night.

The NFL doesn't think that anything will stop New England sports fans from watching Tom Brady and the Patriots on Oct. 2 – even the last game (regular season at least) for David Ortiz.

The NFL once again displayed its arrogance – leaving Boston sports fans stuck in the middle.

The New England Patriots are scheduled to play the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. Two hours later, David Ortiz is scheduled to play his final game – at least in the regular season – at Fenway Park.

Surely the NFL knew this. Ortiz announced his plan to retire months ago, on his 40th birthday in November. The Major League Baseball schedule was announced even before that.

So why would the NFL do this?

Arrogance.

The NFL’s Powers That Be feel there is nothing that will stop fans from watching their games.

Boston sports fans will now be forced to choose between the NFL’s best franchise and one of the most beloved players to ever wear a Red Sox jersey.

Yes, Ortiz is the greatest clutch hitter in Red Sox history. Yes, he wears three World Series rings. But more importantly, he is an iconic figure in Boston. His speech before the team’s first game at Fenway following the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013 sealed his place in Boston sports lore.

So on the day that the team, city and fans will say goodbye to him – barring a playoff run by the Red Sox – the NFL has scheduled a game down the street.

Arrogance.

The NFL knows fans will watch its games, no matter what.

Even in New England.

Fans here are still outraged at how the Patriots have been treated by the NFL during the Deflategate saga, which still isn’t over. They cry out on social media that the NFL is out to get the Patriots, and especially Tom Brady, who still has a possible four-game suspension hanging over his head pending the outcome of the NFL’s appeal. Yet, New England fans still watch the games.

This wasn’t the only head-scratcher on the NFL schedule. With Christmas falling on a Sunday this year, the NFL has moved most of its schedule to Christmas Eve – as it has in the past. But this year there is a prime-time game on Christmas Eve – Cincinnati at Houston, beginning at 8:25 p.m. – conflicting with church services and other Christmas Eve traditions. The NFL is betting that it has greater appeal than Santa.

Perhaps the Ortiz conflict is just the NFL’s idea of payback for what happened in 2013.

The Baltimore Ravens had won the Super Bowl the previous year and were scheduled to open at home on Sept. 5. Problem was, the Baltimore Orioles were scheduled to play the Chicago White Sox that night at Camden Yards.

The stadiums are right next to each other, with the clubs sharing parking lots and garages. There was no way the two games could be played at the same time, given the NFL’s inclination to make its season opener a gala event with concerts, parties and fireworks. Options were discussed, but the Orioles ultimately decided to keep their schedule as is and the Ravens were forced to open on the road, at Denver.

This isn’t the first time the Patriots and Red Sox will have home games on the same date.

It happens occasionally. In fact, one of the most memorable days in recent Boston sports history was Oct. 13, 2013, when the Patriots played the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium and the Red Sox were playing the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park in the second game of the ALCS.

On that day, Tom Brady threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Kenbrell Thompkins with five seconds left to rally New England to a stunning 30-27 victory. Later that night, Ortiz hit a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie a game that the Red Sox won in the ninth, 6-5.

But on that day, the Patriots went at 1 p.m, the Red Sox at 8:15 p.m.

You might ask, why should the NFL care about creating a scheduling conflict for Ortiz’s finale?

How about as a goodwill gesture, given all the animosity over Deflategate. As it is, fans will have to choose between the two games.

I know where I’ll be. My wife, Tracie, got tickets for me and my son, Alex, to be at Fenway.

For others, especially fans of both teams, it’s unfortunate. And arrogant.

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