The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its investigation into the death of Jeff Sperbeck, longtime friend, business partner, and former agent of NFL Hall of Famer John Elway, ruling the incident a tragic accident with no criminal wrongdoing involved.
Sperbeck, 62, passed away in April after falling from the back of a golf cart driven by Elway at a private residence in La Quinta, California. He suffered fatal head injuries, and the Riverside County Coroner’s Bureau determined the cause of death as blunt force trauma, officially classifying it as an accidental death.
“It’s over,” Sheriff Chad Bianco told Denver’s 9NEWS. “We’ve talked to everyone involved and we found nothing new. There was nothing criminal. It was what we’ve been saying all along — this was a tragic accident.”
The sheriff’s office plans to issue a formal statement confirming the findings.
Following Sperbeck’s death, Elway released a heartfelt statement expressing his grief. “I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” he 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 began representing Elway in 1990 and played a central role in managing his business ventures, including car dealerships, restaurants, and a winery co-founded with winemaker Rob Mondavi Jr. in 2015. He also had a distinguished career representing over 100 NFL players through agencies he founded or led, including Sullivan & Sperbeck, Octagon’s football division, The NOVO Agency, and Rep1 Sports.
Elway, who led the Denver Broncos to two Super Bowl titles and later served in executive roles with the team, was not charged in connection with the incident.
The sudden loss of Sperbeck marks the end of a decades-long friendship and business partnership, leaving a deep impact on Elway and the wider NFL community.
