He was born on March 28, 1878, in
Fayetteville, North Carolina, to James Cameron MacRae, once justice of the state Supreme Court and dean of the
University of North Carolina.
University of North Carolina MacRae was a prominent
running back for the
North Carolina Tar Heels football team of the
University of North Carolina.
1898 He was selected
All-Southern in
1898. The team was undefeated Southern champion. ==Coaching career==