Broncos legend John Elway retained a Denver, Colorado-based lawyer following a deadly golf cart incident in California.
Jeffrey Sperbeck, 62, who is Elway’s agent and longtime friend, had an accident where he fell off the back of a golf cart at the Madison Club in La Quinta on Saturday night as confirmed by officials. Authorities from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office revealed that they were informed about the incident two days after, on Monday, and have initiated an investigation into the matter.
A representative from Cal Fire mentioned that they were at the scene of the incident by 6:50 p.m. and stated that Sperbeck sustained “serious injuries” and was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he passed away on Wednesday. Elway has not faced any charges related to the occurrence.
Reports from TMZ indicated that Elway was driving the golf cart after a Stagecoach after-party when Sperbeck fell off. The account suggests that Elway was the individual who contacted emergency services first. Property records indicate that Elway owns a property merely 10 minutes away from The Madison Club.
Dec 26, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos president of football operations John Elway watches from the sidelines during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
When asked by Fox News Digital why it took two days to learn about the incident involving Elway, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office didn’t respond.
Following the golf cart incident, Elway made his first public statement to ESPN 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.”
Sperbeck’s family also released a statement following his passing on Wednesday.
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)
“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.”
