John Elway Involved in Golf Cart Accident Leading to Death of Friend and Agent

Elway was reportedly driving a golf cart when Jeff Sperbeck fell off, sustaining injuries that led to his death.

April 30, 2025

A source told 9NEWS that John Elway is devastated by the situation. NBC Sports via YouTube

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John Elway’s friend and longtime business partner, Jeff Sperbeck, died today, April 30, from injuries after falling off a golf cart while Elway was driving.

Sperbeck and Elway have been friends for decades, with Sperbeck serving as Elway’s agent during the quarterback's Denver Broncos career. The pair stayed close after Elway retired in 1999, and they owned a wine company, 7 Cellars, together.

A coroner’s report from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Sperbeck’s death. He was 62. The date of the accident was Saturday, April 26, according to TMZ, the first to report on the incident

Elway was driving a golf cart in the Madison Club in La Quinta, California, where he has a home in the private golf area. According to ESPN, Sperbeck was sitting in the passenger seat when he fell off the cart, sustaining a traumatic injury. Elway is reportedly the one who called 911 after Sperbeck’s fall. Sperbeck was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center, where he subsequently died.

Sperbeck, Elway and their families were at the Stagecoach music festival earlier in the day, according to TMZ. Elway’s son Jack was also riding on the golf cart after leaving a post-festival party, the gossip site adds.

The Riverside Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident, though TMZ initially reported there was no apparent wrongdoing on Elway’s part. A source told 9News that Elway is devastated by the situation.

Elway isn’t the only 1990s Denver Bronco involved in unfortunate headlines lately. Shannon Sharpe, who won two Super Bowls with the Broncos while catching passes from Elway, has stepped away from ESPN after being accused by a woman of sexual assault and battery.

The accusation came in a civil lawsuit filed in Clark County, Nevada, which asks for Sharpe to pay damages to Jane Doe. Sharpe denies the allegations. In 2010, Sharpe left CBS after being accused of forcing a woman to have sex with him and subsequently making threats against her.

Catie Cheshire is a staff writer at Westword, where she has primarily reported on news since September 2021. Her prior work experience includes contributing to Cronkite News, Arizona PBS, the Regis University Highlander and AZ Big Media. Catie holds a master's degree from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and an undergraduate degree from Regis University in Denver.

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