John Elway is “devastated and heartbroken” over the death of his longtime agent and friend following a golf-cart incident in which the NFL legend reportedly was behind the wheel.
Jeff Sperbeck, 62, died early Wednesday after falling off the back of a golf cart last weekend.
“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” Elway said in a statement relayed by NFL reporter Adam Schefter.
“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.”
On Tuesday, TMZ reported that Elway was behind the wheel of the golf cart at the time of the tragedy.
The outlet reported that Elway was driving the cart on Saturday evening in La Quinta, Calif., when Sperbeck fell off the back of the moving vehicle and hit his head on asphalt.
Sperbeck was rushed to a trauma unit and placed on life support, but doctors indicated there was “no hope” he would make a recovery due to a severe brain injury.
According to reports, Elway, Sperbeck and their wives had attended the Stagecoach music festival earlier in the day in nearby Indio and were leaving a post-party when the incident occurred.
TMZ reported that Elway made the call to 911 and that when paramedics arrived, Sperbeck was unconscious but breathing.
There has been no indication that Elway was driving negligently and he is not being accused of any wrongdoing at this time.
No one else was injured in the incident, which happened on the grounds of The Madison Club, a private golf community.
Sperbeck’s wife, Cori, and his family said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened to share the passing of our beloved Jeff Sperbeck. He 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. We are grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support that we have received and ask for privacy for our family at this difficult time.”
Sperbeck began managing Elway in 1990, when Elway was quarterback for the Denver Broncos. He represented more than 100 NFL players during a three-decade career as an agent and business adviser.
He was best known as Elway’s longtime friend, business partner and agent who helped manage the Hall of Famer’s extensive off-field business empire, which included restaurants, car dealerships and a winery.
Sperbeck managed Elway’s marketing and business ventures, and the two collaborated with winemaker Rob Mondavi Jr. in 2015 to co-found 7Cellars by John Elway.
He also co-founded Sullivan & Sperbeck, a sports marketing firm that was acquired by Octagon in 2001. Sperbeck directed Octagon’s football division from 2001-09, when he started The NOVO Agency, a sports management firm where he served as CEO and represented dozens of current and retired NFL players and coaches. The agency merged with Rep1 Sports in 2018.
Sperbeck was involved in numerous charitable endeavors.
— With files from Associated Press