Californian deputies were not made aware of an incident involving Broncos icon John Elway driving a golf cart until two days after it occurred.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office disclosed in a press release that they received a report on Monday concerning a golf cart mishap that transpired on Saturday at The Madison Club in La Quinta, California. As per reports, Elway’s agent and close associate Jeffrey Sperbeck, 62, tumbled off the back of the golf cart.
TMZ mentioned that Elway was operating the golf cart during the incident as they were departing from a Stagecoach after-party. Elway was supposedly the individual who contacted 911 first. Public records reveal that Elway owns a property just a short 10-minute drive away from The Madison Club.
A spokesperson for Cal Fire told Fox News Digital it worked with the Riverside County Fire Department in responding to the incident at 6:50 p.m. Authorities said Sperbeck suffered “serious injuries” and was transported to a local hospital and initially listed in critical condition, where he died on Wednesday at the Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California.
Fox News Digital reached out to The Madison Club and Elway for comment.
The Madison Club golf course designed by Tom Fazio in La Quinta, California, Feb. 4, 2025. (Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“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.”
Sperbeck’s family also released a statement following his passing.
“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.”
John Elway warms up before the Super Bowl against the Atlanta Falcons in Miami on Jan. 31, 1999. (ROBERT DEUTSCH / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Sperbeck’s relationship with Elway began in 1990 after becoming his manager. Hall of Famers Ronnie Lott and Jim Plunkett were also among Sperbeck’s clients, but he has represented hundreds of NFL players.
Elway led the Broncos to two Super Bowls during his 16 years in the NFL, all of which were with Denver. He went on to become the Broncos general manager and executive vice president after he left the league as a player, then was a consultant for the team up until March 2023.
Fox News Digital’s Scott Thompson contributed to this report.