A tragic accident occurred at The Madison Club in La Quinta, California, involving NFL Hall of Famer John Elway and his longtime friend and business partner, Jeff Sperbeck.
Sperbeck, 62, fell from a moving golf cart driven by Elway, sustaining a traumatic head injury that led to his death four days later on April 30.
According to reports, Sperbeck was standing on the back of the single-bench golf cart during a short ride from a private event to Elway’s nearby residence.
Others in the cart included Elway’s girlfriend, Sperbeck’s wife, and television personality Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio. Witnesses stated that there was no horseplay or alcohol involved, and the cart did not hit any obstacles.

The Riverside County Coroner’s Bureau ruled Sperbeck’s death as accidental, citing blunt head trauma as the cause. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office found no evidence of criminal activity or mechanical failure, emphasizing that the incident was a tragic accident.
Elway expressed profound sorrow over the loss, stating, “I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner, and agent Jeff Sperbeck.” He highlighted Sperbeck’s loyalty, wisdom, and friendship over their decades-long relationship.
Sperbeck had a distinguished career as an NFL agent, representing over 100 players and co-founding the wine brand 7Cell … Elway. He is survived by his wife, Cori, and their children, Carly, Sam, and Jackson.