Jeff Sperbeck’s cause of death has been revealed.
The longtime agent and friend of NFL legend John Elway reportedly died of blunt head trauma, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office told TMZ on Friday, May 9. His death has been ruled an accident.
Elway, 64, was driving a golf cart carrying Sperbeck, 62, when the agent fell from the cart and suffered traumatic head injuries. The accident occurred at the Madison Club in La Quinta, California on April 26 and Sperbeck died four days later.
“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” Elway said in a statement on April 30. “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,” the statement continued. “Jeff will be deeply missed for the loyalty, wisdom, friendship and love he brought into my life and the lives of so many others.”
Sperbeck’s family also released a statement expressing their sadness and thanking the community for its support.
“He was a wonderful father, husband, brother, son and friend to many and will be profoundly missed by all,” the statement read. “We are grieving this unimaginable loss as a family alongside our dearest friends the Elways 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.”
While law enforcement initially opened an investigation in the days after Sperbeck’s death, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco subsequently told The Denver Post that “nothing that we have found” to indicate law enforcement needed to be involved.
“Unfortunately for all of those involved, one of the people – well, a couple of them – happen to be very high-profile celebrities,” Bianco told the outlet on Friday, May 2. “And that makes this more of an issue than it probably should be.”
In addition to Sperbeck, Elway was transporting his girlfriend, Sperbeck’s wife, Cori, and The Challenge legend Johnny Bananas. Sources told CBS that there was “no swerving or horseplay” and “no one was drunk.”
Elway called 911 after the accident and when paramedics arrived, Sperbeck was reportedly still breathing. He was transported to a hospital and placed on life support before he succumbed to his injuries.
Elway’s professional relationship with Sperbeck dates back to 1990, seven years into the quarterback’s NFL career. The two became close friends during Elway’s playing days and they cofounding wine brand 7Cellars together in 2015.
