After watching the Bucs/Indy game I was wondering if you can fair catch a kick off? I think it was the first one that was lofted high going 10 yards.
I think you can fair catch a kick off. Trying to find the answer I found this link.

http://www.nfl.com/fans/rules/
Fair Catch
Parameters for fair catches on punts or kickoffs.

But nobody has been able to give me a straight answer....just their opinions. Also I don't think I've ever seen it done.
A few other questions. Is that not why kickers "bounce" the footbal? Then it becomes live? Or can you still fair catch a bounced football?
Look forward to the answers.
Thanks in advance.

You can fair catch a kickoff that has not touched the ground. In fact, if you do so, you can freekick for a fieldgoal from that spot if you choose.

I've seen a JV team fair catch a kickoff after being burned twice on an onsides-poock kickoff that went about 20 yds.

I thought so.
Thank you.

REPLY: ...except in NCAA rules where the ball must be out in play by a snap after a fair catch.

6-5-2 It is a fair catch and the ball is dead if any receiver gives a valid fair-catch signal and he catches a free kick in or beyond the neutral zone to R s goal line, or a scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone to R s goal line. (That means he catches the kick in flight.)

This is exactly why the kicker pounds the ball off of the ground on an on-side kick.

If it does hit the ground and R siganls fair catch. It's a flag for invalid fair catch signal, he cannot advance the ball, and he isn't awarded any protection. Is that correct?

Exactly. 5 yards from that spot.