This would inspire McRae to devote much of his time to veterans causes and affairs, later earning him The Friendship Award, the highest civilian honour, from The Royal Canadian Legion.
The single teletype machine suddenly began chattering, its bulletin bell ringing, and news editor Paul Cragg ran back to check and shouted: 'Oh my God -- Kennedy's been shot in Dallas!'
I phoned as many friends and family members as I could, and in the cold rain of that dark, late November afternoon, I walked back to my rooming house, crying.
It was McRae's penetrating and insightful profiles on the world's most famous athletes that gave the Canadian Magazine a wide readership and clout during its hey-day.
Titled "Poor Bobby", it has been widely studied by journalism students for its biting honesty, eloquent prose and for McRae's steadfastness in remaining an impartial writer while covering a beloved public figure.
A story about trying to pin down a star who refuses to be interviewed, the narrative tracing the futile chase, the pursuit itself taking the place of the traditional biographical sketch.
Aside from his sportscaster career, McRae wrote award-winning film biographies on Sugar Ray Leonard, Joe Montana, and marathoners Bill Rodgers and Alberto Salazar.
On December 11, 1989, McRae demonstrated his controversial style in an editorial broadcast on "54 Rock," only five days after Mark Lepine's massacre of female students at École Polytechnique.
His columns varied between introspective, sentimental pieces to quirky and controversial, where he covered everything from international events, like the funeral of Princess Diana to the local Ottawa scene.
Canadian Olympic figure skater Barbara Ann Scott was indebted to a column by McRae for having her memorabilia displayed at Ottawa's city hall as well.
He had just returned from covering the funeral of a local cyclist who had been struck and killed by a motorist and McRae was set to write a lengthy feature piece on the tragedy.
"[5] TSN broadcaster Bob McKenzie credited McRae as his inspiration for becoming a sports journalist, saying "I remember waiting for the Saturday Star to show up so I could read him.
"[7] Prime Minister Stephen Harper released a statement saying McRae was "a fixture in the Ottawa media scene" and that his writing would be missed by many friends and family, while Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said McRae had an uncanny way of bringing words to life, adding "From his work with the Elvis Sighting Society to his journalistic awards, he has left a huge mark on our country and city and will be missed.