On a VS flight from LAS-LGW last year a passenger had an inflated football (of the "soccer" variety) which the crew noticed and said we couldn't depart with it in the cabin. A few calls to the ground crew later (aircraft was already closed up) and after the captain got involved, the crew managed to source a pin to deflate the ball and we went on our way. I never thought an inflated football would be an issue but I was close to the incident on the upper deck and the captain was adamant they were going nowhere with an inflated football on board. The crew handled it very well though and kept it very light hearted.