Jeff Sperbeck dies after falling out of golf cart reportedly driven by John Elway in Southern California

Jeff Sperbeck, a longtime friend, agent and business partner to Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, died early Wednesday, four days after the 62-year-old fell from a golf cart reportedly driven by Elway in a private golf community in La Quinta, Calif.

TMZ reported that Elway was allegedly driving the golf cart in the Madison Club community on Saturday night when Sperbeck fell from the back of it and hit his head. Sperbeck was breathing but unconscious when paramedics arrived after someone called 911. He was taken to a Palm Springs medical center and put on life support, according to TMZ.

The Riverside County Fire Department told The Times on Wednesday that paramedics responded to an emergency call in reference to a person who had fallen from a golf cart in that area around 6:50 p.m. Saturday. The paramedics reported to the department that the patient had serious injuries and that they transported the person to a local trauma center.

Sperbeck, a San Clemente resident, was pronounced dead at 1:10 a.m. Wednesday at Desert Regional Medical Center, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that it was informed of the incident on Monday and opened an investigation.

“The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office received information about a golf cart incident that occurred on April 26 in the 53000 block of Humboldt Boulevard in La Quinta, resulting in injury to a male identified as 62-year-old Jeffrey Sperbeck of San Clemente,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release later Wednesday. “After an initial investigation, it was determined that medical personnel responded and transported Sperbeck to a local hospital in critical condition. On April 30, Sperbeck was pronounced deceased as a result of his injuries.

“The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the death of Sperbeck and will take appropriate action based on the outcome. No further details will be released at this time.”

Sperbeck represented more than 100 NFL players during his 30 years as an agent and business advisor. He became the manager of Elway’s marketing and business activities in 1990. The two men founded 7Cellars winery together and Sperbeck served as the chief executive.

Elway and the Sperbeck family released separate statements to multiple media outlets 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.

“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 wrote that Jeff “was a wonderful father, husband, brother, son and friend to many and will be profoundly missed by all.

“We are grieving this unimaginable loss as a family alongside our dearest friends the Elway’s and the many other clients Jeff called friends,” the family added. “We are grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support that we have received and ask for privacy for our family at this difficult time.”

Elway played 16 NFL seasons, all for the Denver Broncos. He led the team to five Super Bowls, with wins in the final two following the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Later, as the Broncos’ general manager and executive vice president of football operations, Elway helped the team make two more Super Bowl appearances, including a victory following the 2015 season.

Elway, a former Granada Hills High star, was a consultant to the Broncos when his contract expired in 2023.