Bennie McRae facts for kids
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| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | December 8, 1939 Aberdeen, North Carolina, U.S. |
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| Died: | November 22, 2012 (aged 72) Columbia, Maryland, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 180 lb (82 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Huntington (Newport News, Virginia) |
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| College: | Michigan (1959–1961) | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1962 / Round: 2 / Pick: 21 | ||||||||
| AFL draft: | 1962 / Round: 8 / Pick: 62 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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Benjamin Prince McRae (December 8, 1939 – November 22, 2012) was an American football player. He was a talented cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). McRae played for 10 seasons, mostly with the famous Chicago Bears.
Before becoming a pro, he played college football as a halfback. He starred for the Michigan Wolverines from 1959 to 1961. The Bears chose him in the second round of the 1962 NFL Draft.
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Early Life and High School
Bennie McRae was born in Aberdeen, North Carolina, in 1939. He grew up and went to high school in Newport News, Virginia. He attended Collis P. Huntington High School.
College Days at Michigan
McRae started at the University of Michigan in 1958. He played college football as a halfback. His coach was Bump Elliott for the Michigan Wolverines football team. He played from 1959 to 1961.
In November 1961, McRae showed how good he was. He scored three touchdowns in one game against Duke. He scored by running, catching a pass, and returning an interception. Michigan won that game 28–14. During his three years at Michigan, he ran for 1,037 yards. He also gained 411 yards from catching passes. He was a very versatile player.
A Two-Sport Star
McRae was not just great at football. He was also a star track athlete at Michigan. He competed in both high and low hurdles. He won four hurdle championships in the Big Ten Conference. In 1961, Track and Field News ranked him among the top 10 hurdlers in the world. In 2002, he was honored for his achievements. He was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor.
Playing Professional Football
The Chicago Bears picked McRae in the 1962 NFL Draft. He was the 21st player chosen overall. He signed with the Bears in June 1962. He then played nine seasons for them, from 1962 to 1970. He mostly played as a cornerback.
Chicago Bears Career
In October 1966, McRae was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Week. He intercepted two passes from legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas. McRae helped the Bears win a big upset game against the Baltimore Colts. One of his interceptions was a 53-yard return.
During his nine seasons with the Bears, McRae made 27 interceptions. Six of these came during the 1963 NFL season. He also set a team record for the Bears. He returned four interceptions for touchdowns.
Time with the Giants
In September 1971, the Bears traded McRae to the New York Giants. He played eight games for the Giants during the 1971 NFL season. After that season, he retired from playing football.
Life After Football
After his football career, McRae started a construction business. It was called McRae Construction Co. in Newport News. In 1973, he decided to focus on planning housing projects instead.
McRae was married to Suzanne, and they had seven children. Bennie McRae passed away in 2012 at the age of 72 after an illness.
See also
- University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
