No Charges for John Elway in Golf Cart Incident That Killed Former Agent Jeff Sperbeck

2025

Hall of Fame quarterback and former Denver Broncos executive John Elway will not face criminal charges after the death of his former agent and business partner, Jeff Sperbeck, following a golf cart accident earlier this year. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its investigation, determining the incident was a tragic accident with no evidence of foul play or impairment.

The event occurred on April 26, 2025, at The Madison Club, a private resort community in La Quinta, California. Sperbeck, 62, fell from the back of a moving golf cart driven by Elway. He suffered blunt force trauma to the head, later identified by the Riverside County coroner as the cause of death. Sperbeck passed away four days later at a nearby hospital.

Authorities reported that video evidence and witness interviews revealed no signs of reckless driving or intoxication. “I’ve looked at video 100 times and there’s no explanation as to why he fell off, he just fell off,” Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco told Denver's 9NEWS. “We talked to everyone involved. There was nothing criminal.”

The final report cited the manner of death as accidental. Sperbeck had been standing at the rear of the golf cart alongside television personality Johnny Devenanzio, also known as Johnny Bananas, when he suddenly fell backward.

At the time of the incident, Elway was part of a group returning home from a private event at the resort. The group had opted to skip the nearby Stagecoach music festival due to poor weather. According to sources familiar with the evening, Elway’s son and his group were in a cart ahead of the one driven by Elway. Elway’s girlfriend and Sperbeck’s wife were seated in the front. No erratic behavior, sharp turns, or collisions occurred, witnesses stated.

Devenanzio immediately called for help, prompting Elway to stop the cart. Sperbeck’s wife, Cori, rushed to assist her husband. A 9-1-1 call followed, during which Elway appeared calm and coherent, according to Sheriff Bianco. “He was very articulate. He was very responsive. It was a normal urgent conversation,” Bianco said, noting there were no signs of impairment.

Paramedics arrived shortly after the call. Sperbeck was transported to a hospital with a severe head injury but did not survive. His organs were donated.

Jeff Sperbeck was a longtime NFL agent, representing over 100 players, coaches, and executives. He maintained lasting relationships with many of his clients, including Elway. Their professional partnership began in the early 1990s and later extended into business ventures, including 7Cellars, a wine brand co-founded by the two.

Elway served as the Denver Broncos' general manager from 2011 to 2020, overseeing the team’s Super Bowl 50 victory. During his tenure, and long after his playing career, Sperbeck remained by his side, often traveling with him to west coast games.

In a statement following Sperbeck’s death, Elway expressed deep sorrow: “I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck. 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’s death comes four years after he played a key role in organizing tributes for another client and friend, coach Greg Knapp, who was struck and killed by a distracted driver. Sperbeck helped Knapp’s family establish the Coach Knapp Memorial Fund, which promotes awareness of distracted driving. That cause continues, with NFL coaches participating in annual stair climbs to honor Knapp’s memory.

Following Sperbeck’s passing, his family and friends gathered on June 7 at his high school alma mater, Jesuit High School in Sacramento, for a Celebration of Life. Elway was among the attendees.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office will make a formal announcement confirming the conclusion of the case. “It’s over,” Sheriff Bianco said. “There was nothing new revealed. This was a tragic accident.”

No charges will be filed. The findings provide a measure of closure to the families and individuals involved in the April incident.