Can someone please clarify this for me?

A member of the punt team ran downfield on a high punt and got to the returner before the ball was caught. He stopped about three yards in front of the returner. The returner was never touched and he never waived fair catch. He also didn't make a clear attempt to field the punt.

When the ball came down, it bounced off the back of the helmet of the punt team member. The ball then hit the ground and the punt team downed it.

The referree said it was kick catch interference. He said the ball must hit the ground before a member of the punt team can touch the ball.

Is this correct?

Thanks.

He got it half right. Yes, it was KCI but not because it didn't hit the ground, but because R was in position to catch the kick. If there is no R player in position to catch the kick, then the K player can catch it - no KCI.