What exactly is a touchback

[John Grasso]

In the Chiefs-Raiders game the other night a kickoff bounced in the end zone and was fielded
by the receiving player. He did not advance the ball but did not take a knee and just turned
and flipped the ball behind the end line to a ball boy. I thought he had to kneel to indicate
they weren't going to advance it.
On the way back up the field the official seemed to be having a conversation with him
but the play was ruled a touchback.

[rhickok1109]

In the Chiefs-Raiders game the other night a kickoff bounced in the end zone and was fielded
by the receiving player. He did not advance the ball but did not take a knee and just turned
and flipped the ball behind the end line to a ball boy. I thought he had to kneel to indicate
they weren't going to advance it.
On the way back up the field the official seemed to be having a conversation with him
but the play was ruled a touchback.

If it's clear to the official that the player has no intention to return the kick, it's ruled a dead ball and a touchback. It's not totally clear from the rulebook and I see no relevant Approved Ruling, but I assume the ball has to be blown dead. It's not necessary for the player to kneel, just as it's no longer necessary for the player to touch the ball down to be awarded a touchdown.