Entertainment

Police Open Investigation Into NFL Legend After Fatal Golf Cart Accident

Published

3 weeks ago

May 1, 2025

The investigation into fatal golf cart accident involving NFL Hall of Fame member John Elway and his longtime friend and agent, Jeff Sperbeck, took a wild turn on Thursday when investigators in California were not notified about the incident until two days after it happened.

Sperbeck, 62, passed away on Wednesday just a few days after he fell off the back of a golf cart being driven by Elway at The Madison Club in La Quinta, California.

TMZ first reported that Elway was behind the wheel when Sperbeck fell off the vehicle and hit his head on asphalt at the private club. Public records indicate that Elway owns a property located 10 minutes away from The Madison Club.

A spokesperson for Cal Fire told Fox News that it worked with the Riverside County Fire Department in responding to the incident around 6:50 p.m. local time. Authorities said Sperbeck suffered “serious injuries” and was transported to a local hospital, where his condition was listed as critical before he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday.

Photo: Jeff Sperbeck via Facebook

In a statement, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said it would conduct an investigation into the death of Sperbeck “and will take appropriate action based on the outcome.”

In a statement to Fox News, investigators did not provide any additional information on the claim that they were not informed of the incident until two days after it happened.

Elway issued his first public comments on the incident shortly after Sperbeck’s passing earlier this week. “I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” Elways said in a statement, via ESPN.

“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.”

Sperbeck’s family also released a statement following his death.

“We are deeply saddened to share the passing of our beloved Jeff Sperbeck. He was a wonderful father, husband, brother, son and friend to many and will be profoundly missed by all,” the Sperbeck family said. “We are grieving this unimaginable loss as a family alongside our dearest friends the Elway’s and the many other clients Jeff called friends.”

A portion of The Madison Club’s scenic golf course in La Quinta, California
Photo: Golf Digest

Sperbeck had a long relationship with the Denver Broncos legend dating back to 1990, when he became his manager. A number of additional NFL Hall of Famers were among the hundreds of players represented by Sperbeck, including Ronnie Lott and Jim Plunkett.

Elway is widely seen as one of football’s most prominent living football legend after he led the Broncos to two Super Bowls across his 16-year career, the entirety of which was spent in Denver. He went on to become the Broncos general manager and executive vice president after the conclusion of his playing career and remained with the club as a consultant until 2023.