UPDATE: 4/30/25 at 2:23 p.m. ET —TMZ confirmed that Jeff Sperbeck died after he was placed on life support following his and John Elway’s golf cart accident. Sperbeck was 62.
Original story:
Former NFL quarterback John Elway was reportedly involved in a golf cart accident, which left his longtime business partner and friend with life-threatening injuries.
Elway, 64, was allegedly driving a golf cart at the Madison Club in La Quinta, California, on Saturday, April 26, when his former manager, Jeff Sperbeck, fell off the back of the vehicle and hit his head on the asphalt, according to TMZ. Per the outlet, there is no indication that Elway had been driving negligently.
Local news outlet KESQ further reported that Sperback is now on life support after being transferred to a hospital.
“It was a reported fall from a golf cart and the patient was transported to a local area trauma center in unknown condition,” a spokesperson for Cal Fire told KESQ in a statement on Tuesday, April 29.
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KESQ also spoke with an eyewitness, Ali Simon, who saw the accident firsthand.
“It was so sad, and our hearts just go out to the families,” Simon said. “We got there, and [Sperbeck] was unfortunately lying on the ground, and there were people surrounding him just trying to make sure he was OK. People were on the phone just trying to get help there as soon as they possibly could.”
She added, “It was so scary; it was nothing like we’ve ever seen. You just don’t think you’re ever going to witness anything like that.”
Per Simon, medics arrived on the scene within five minutes.
Elway has not addressed the reported accident further. According to TMZ, he did call 911 after Sperback’s fall. An investigation is ongoing.
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Elway played all 16 seasons of his NFL career with the Denver Broncos, helping the team win the Super Bowl in 1998 and 1999. Afterward, he served as the Broncos’ general manager and executive vice president. He most recently worked in a consultant role until his contract expired in March 2023. Throughout most of his career, Sperbeck worked as Elway’s agent.
Amid the end of his NFL career, Elway and Sperbeck teamed up to launch their 7Cellars winery.
“7Cellars was founded by professional football icon John Elway and his long-time business partner, Jeff Sperbeck,” a website description reads. “With the success of Elway’s Steakhouses, John wanted to create a wine that would live up to his ideals and be a proud representation of his family’s name. They partnered with iconic winemaker Rob Mondavi, Jr. to release the company’s first vintage of Reserve wines, with a 2013 Cabernet and a 2014 Chardonnay. After five successful and sold-out vintages of the Reserve, 7Cellars expanded. The Farm Collection was released in March 2020. This collection is offered at a more approachable price point, but with the same superior quality for which the brand is known.”
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