SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Two San Diego FC (SDFC) players made a special off-field impact Wednesday afternoon, visiting transplant patients and medical staff at Sharp Memorial Hospital. Emmanuel Boateng and Franco Negri not only brought smiles and inspiration — they left inspired themselves.
The SDFC duo kicked off their visit by meeting a very special patient: Richi Rodrigues, a kidney transplant recipient who recently represented Team USA at the 2024 Transplant Games’ first-ever soccer tournament in Italy. Just 18 months earlier, Richi received a lifesaving kidney from his brother, Jerry Rodrigues — a powerful story that moved the athletes.
“It was great meeting the players…they’re great players, phenomenal players,” said Richi after the visit. “And we got to share our stories with them and we got to get to know them on a personal level.”
But the visit wasn’t just social — it was hands-on. Boateng and Negri had the rare chance to operate one of the most advanced surgical technologies in the world: the da Vinci 5 robotic-assistance system. Under the guidance of transplant surgeon Dr. Marquis Hart, the players tested their surgical precision on a simulation.
Sharp Memorial was among the first eight hospitals globally to receive the da Vinci 5 system, introduced in 2024.
The visit continued with a stop to see a patient who had just received a kidney transplant the night before — offering encouragement and well-wishes for a smooth recovery.
The day wrapped up with a meet-and-greet among Sharp Memorial’s dedicated team of doctors, nurses and staff. Boateng and Negri signed SDFC gear and posed for photos, bringing energy and appreciation to the hospital team that helps save lives every day.
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