Whatever questions have arisen from the death of legendary Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway’s former agent in California in April have now been answered, with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco telling Denver 9News TV that Jeff Sperbeck’s death was an accident.
Elway was driving a golf cart with Sperbeck as a passenger when Sperbeck fell off and struck his head on April 27 in La Quinta, California.
“It’s over,” Bianco said. “We’ve talked to everyone involved and we found nothing new. There was nothing criminal. It was what we’ve been saying all along that this was a tragic accident.”
Bianco confirmed Elway would not face any charges in the death.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sperbeck died on April 30.
“Jeff Sperbeck, the longtime friend, business partner and former agent of John Elway, died today from injuries he suffered when he fell off a golf cart being driven by the Hall-of-Fame quarterback,” Schefter wrote on his official X account,. “Sperbeck was 62.”
Elway addressed Sperbeck’s death after the accident.
“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” Elway said in a statement after Sperbeck’s death. “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.”
Sheriff Previously Confirmed No Criminal Conduct
Bianco previously told The Denver Post’s Luca Evans there was no suspicion of criminal activity after their investigation into the death of Sperbeck.
“This appears to be a horrific accident,” Bianco told Evans on May 2. “And unfortunately for all of those involved, one of the people – well, a couple of them – happen to be very high-profile celebrities. And that makes this more of an issue than it probably should be.”
According to Bianco, Elway was driving the golf cart while Sperbeck and reality television star Johnny Bananas were standing on the back of the vehicle.
Bianco told The Denver Post that Elway’s party called 911 immediately and there was no evidence Elway was inebriated. He also said there was no discrepancy between any of the independent eyewitnesses to the accident. All that remained for the investigation is to review surveillance footage and go back over witness testimony .
“It is common practice for medical personnel, whether it be an ambulance personnel or hospital personnel or even fire personnel, to call us after the scene of an accident because something doesn’t look right,” Bianco told Evans. “And this was not the case.”
Elway One Of NFL’s Greatest QBs Of All Time
Elway played 16 seasons for Denver and led the franchise to 5 Super Bowl appearances, winning consecutive Super Bowls following the 1997 and 1998 seasons before his retirement.
Elway retired as the NFL’s career leader in victories for a starting quarterback and second in career passing yards. He was also named NFL Most Valuable Player in 1987.
Elway was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. He returned to the Broncos for 10 seasons as general manager from 2011 to 2020 and helped the team win a third Super Bowl in 2015.
