MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER, Calif. – With just two seconds left on the clock, the Rusty Buffaloes made it to the end zone, securing their second consecutive championship at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center on March 17, 2026. But for the Marines on the field, the victory meant much more.
Marine Corps Logistics and Operations Group's flag football team, known as the Rusty Buffaloes, was originally formed in 2023 by Gunnery Sgt. Robert McDonald, who died May 20, 2024 after serving in the Marine Corps for more than 14 years.
His impact is still felt across the team long after his passing. "He was a passionate individual," said team captain Jerry Staggs, exercise designer at MCLOG. "He cared about others; he cared about his community... and he was very impactful personally."
Though only six players from the original team formed by McDonald remain, the mission has never changed: every game is played in his honor.
"I'll always remember—someone got physical during a game, and Rob was the first one to step in," Staggs recalled. "He was like, ‘Hey, you're not touching my dude.’ That was just who he was—fiercely loyal. His team was his team, and that carried off the field as well."
That loyalty has become the foundation of the Rusty Buffaloes' culture. What began as an intramural team quickly evolved into something deeper.
"This team is way different than anything I've been a part of," Staggs said. "It's held together by something bigger than itself. It's a much closer brotherhood."
The 2025 season tested that bond early on. Operational demands, such as Integrated Training Exercise and fleet support missions, added to the rocky start. But the team remained grounded in a shared purpose.
"We always remind ourselves — we're not just out there to play," Staggs said. "We're out there to keep Rob's memory alive."
That mindset carried them into a championship game that came down to the final seconds. In the last two minutes alone, the lead changed three times before the Rusty Buffaloes scored the winning touchdown in the last two seconds.
"In those final moments, it was simple," said retiredMaster Sgt. Joshua Gordon, trends analyst with MCLOG. "This is our game. Nobody's taking it from us. Rob's out there with us."
For the team, his presence isn't just remembered — it's felt.
"We always bring his jersey to the final game," Staggs said . "It's part of us."
"It's how we calm each other down,” Staggs continued. “Realizing that hey, we're out here for Rob, regardless of what happens: good, bad or indifferent. And it's always a conversation, pre-game, post-game, in the huddle. It's always there."
That connection extends beyond competition. For many players, the team has become part of the grieving process and a source of strength.
"This isn't just a game for us," Staggs said. "It's an emotional connection to one of our brothers. It's how we check on each other and stay connected."
That impact carries into daily life as well.
"It motivates you differently," said Staff Sgt. Erik Carrasco, operations supply chief with MCLOG. "When I'm feeling weak or sad and I drive by where the incident happened, I realize that I need to dig a little deeper and push forward. Because I still have the opportunity to push forward — and he doesn't, you do it for him."
As many of the original team members prepare to leave Twentynine Palms this summer, they are focused on ensuring the legacy continues.
"What we tell the new guys is to keep it going," Staggs said. "Remember why we do this. Keep supporting him, on and off the field."
For those who knew McDonald, he had much more than a competitive spirit.
"What people should remember is his love for the community," Gordon said. "He showed that through his actions, coaching the kids, bringing people together to play a game they haven't played since high school. He made people want to be better."
The Rusty Buffaloes will continue to do exactly that by playing with grit, building brotherhood and honoring a Marine whose dedication still impacts the team and the Twentynine Palms community.