# Guys on the sidelines with an "X" or "K" on their vests

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-on-the-sidelines-with-an-x-or-k-on-their-vests/478360>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [December 22, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-on-the-sidelines-with-an-x-or-k-on-their-vests/478360 "2008-12-22T20:26:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![luvrbcs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@luvrbcs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luvrbcs)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-on-the-sidelines-with-an-x-or-k-on-their-vests/478360/1 "2008-12-22T20:26:36Z")

</div>

During football (US) games, I see people on the sidelines wearing vests with the letter “K” or “X” on them. Sometimes they are holding footballs. What are they there for? Are there others that I am missing?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![WreckingCrew](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wreckingcrew/32/4080_2.png) [@WreckingCrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WreckingCrew)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-on-the-sidelines-with-an-x-or-k-on-their-vests/478360/2 "2008-12-23T03:34:47Z")

</div>

The guys wearing Ks on their vests are holding the specially designated kicking balls - used just for kick-offs, punts and field goals. They are brand new balls, not broken in ones. The guys - given the silly name of game ball coordinator - have the K vest on so the on field officials can find them quickly.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![luvrbcs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@luvrbcs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luvrbcs)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-on-the-sidelines-with-an-x-or-k-on-their-vests/478360/3 "2008-12-23T14:27:01Z")

</div>

Ok, the “K” makes sense now.

What about the “X”?

> [@WreckingCrew](#):
>
> The guys wearing Ks on their vests are holding the specially designated kicking balls - used just for kick-offs, punts and field goals. They are brand new balls, not broken in ones. The guys - given the silly name of game ball coordinator - have the K vest on so the on field officials can find them quickly.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-on-the-sidelines-with-an-x-or-k-on-their-vests/478360/4 "2008-12-23T22:08:16Z")

</div>

The “X” people hold the normal balls.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![luvrbcs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@luvrbcs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luvrbcs)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-on-the-sidelines-with-an-x-or-k-on-their-vests/478360/5 "2008-12-23T23:14:52Z")

</div>

Ahhhhh, that makes sense.

Thanks.