The golf cart crash involving NFL Hall of Famer John Elway that took the life of his friend and former agent, Jeff Sperbeck, appears to be a “horrific accident.”
Elway, 64, was driving the golf cart in La Quinta, California on Saturday, April 26, when Sperbeck, 62, fell off and suffered traumatic head injuries. He was pronounced dead on Wednesday, April 30.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco told The Denver Post on Friday, May 2 that “nothing that we have found” indicated law enforcement needed to be involved.
“This appears to be a horrific accident,” Bianco said. “And unfortunately for all of those involved, one of the people – well, a couple of them – happen to be very high-profile celebrities. And that makes this more of an issue than it probably should be.”
Elway was responsible for calling 911 after the incident, but first responders didn’t contact the sheriff’s department until days later. Bianco explained the department only got involved after a “massive media inquiry” came their way once it was revealed that Elway was involved.
“It is common practice for medical personnel, whether it be an ambulance personnel or hospital personnel or even fire personnel, to call us after the scene of an accident because something doesn’t look right,” Bianco explained. “And this was not the case.”
Bianco said that medical personnel at the scene did not find any evidence to indicate Elway was intoxicated, though he stopped short of explaining how they came to that conclusion. It is not clear if Elway was administered a breathalyzer test.
The golf cart involved in the action did not show any signs of malfunction, according to Bianco.
Bianco acknowledged that an investigation into Sperbeck’s death was underway, but anticipated it would be “relatively short.”
“We’re doing everything we can to make sure that this is what it appears to be, and just an accident,” Bianco concluded.
Amid the investigation, Elway has reportedly secured the services of Denver-based attorney Harvey Steinberg, whose previous clients include former Denver Broncos like Von Miller and Jerry Jeudy.
Elway won two Super Bowls during a 16-year NFL career, all with the Broncos from 1983 to 1998. He later served as the team’s general manager and executive vice president before transitioning to a consultant role. Elway’s time with the Broncos organization ended in 2023.
The quarterback broke his silence about Sterbeck’s death on Wednesday.
“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” Elway said. “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.”
He continued, “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.”
Sperbeck began working as Elway’s agent in 1990, roughly seven years into Elway’s NFL career, and the pair would go on to become friends and business partners away from the football field, cofounding their wine brand, 7Cellars, in 2015.
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