Can anyone help me with a question regarding the "K" Balls that the NFL uses? From what I understand, a "K" Ball is a new football setaside specifically for kicking. They cannot be "softened-up" prior to use. Are there any other differences that I'm not aware of? Also, is the NFL the only league (i.e., NFLE, CFL, NCAA) that uses "K" Balls?

REPLY: The basic difference between the game balls and the K balls are the source: The home club shall have 36 balls for outdoor games and 24 for indoor games available for testing with a pressure gauge by the referee two hours prior to the starting time of the game to meet with League requirements. Twelve (12) new footballs, sealed in a special box and shipped by the manufacturer, will be opened in the officials’ locker room two hours prior to the starting time of the game. These balls are to be specially marked with the letter "k" and used exclusively for the kicking game.

NFL-E operates under the same rule. There is no such thing as a "K" ball in NCAA football. And it doesn't appear that there is one for CFL either.

Thanks Bob. I was going through some CFL Kicking stats and noticed several kickoffs went for +90yds. Was curious why those stats didn't translate over to the NFL.

It's rather obvious: we have better kickers up here.

Wouldn't that be..."We have better kickers up here, eh?" :D