DENVER — The former agent of Denver Broncos legend John Elway died after a California golf cart accident, according to the local coroner’s office, and Denver7 Investigates has learned through multiple informed sources that Elway was behind the wheel at the time of the accident.
Jeff Sperbeck, a friend and business partner of Elway's, fell off the back of the golf cart at a La Quinta, California, golf course around 7 p.m. Saturday, according to the Riverside County Coroner. He died just after 1 a.m. Wednesday, after having been on life support at the Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, according to the coroner.
Sperbeck was 62 years old.
Denver7 Investigates has learned the Hall-of-Fame quarterback was driving the golf cart at the Madison Club, a private country club, and Sperbeck was riding on the back. A witness told the local ABC station that Elway was seen calling 911 after the accident.
“It was so scary,” witness Ali Simon, who said the accident happened just moments before she pulled up to the scene, told KESQ. “It was nothing like we've ever seen. You just don't think that you're going to ever witness anything like that.”
In a statement obtained by ESPN, John Elway said, “I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck. There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me. My heart and deepest sympathies go out to Jeff’s wife, Cori; his children Carly, Sam and Jackson; and everyone who knew and loved him. Jeff will be deeply missed for the loyalty, wisdom, friendship and love he brought into my life and the lives of so many others.”
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office is investigating. The sheriff's office told Denver7 it learned of the accident on Monday afternoon.
Sperbeck was a longtime business partner of Elway's, first serving as his agent and later taking over his business activities, according to Sperbeck's biography on the website for 7Cellars winery, which the pair started together in 2013. He represented more than 100 NFL players over three decades as an NFL agent, according to the site.
Elway won two Super Bowls and made nine Pro Bowls during his 16-year career with the Broncos. He was named NFL MVP in 1987. He later spent 10 years as an executive with the team, most recently as general manager from 2013-2020.
Denver7 reached out to the Broncos for a statement, but we have not heard back.
