NFL legend John Elway admits he is ‘devastated and heartbroken’ following the death of his longtime agent and friend Jeff Sperbeck.
Sperbeck has tragically died at the age of 62 after falling off the back of a golf cart being driven by Elway in a horror accident in La Quinta, California Saturday evening.
‘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 Wednesday, via 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.’
After the fall, Sperbeck had been rushed to a trauma unit and placed on life support, only for doctors to indicate there was ‘no hope’ he would make a recovery after suffering a severe brain injury.
Sperbeck suffered traumatic injuries after falling from the back of a golf cart at the weekend
He succumbed to his injuries at 1:10am local time Wednesday morning, four days after the accident occurred, officials announced.
Sperbeck and Elway were traveling on the vehicle with their wives after attending an after-party at Stagecoach music festival in California at around 7pm. TMZ later reported that the Denver Broncos icon had been the one operating the cart at the time of the accident.
Police reportedly did not respond to the scene Saturday night, but Riverside County Sheriff’s Office was later made aware of the incident on Monday and has launched an investigation, local news channel, KESQ, reported.
However, there is no indication that Elway was driving negligently and is not being accused of any wrongdoing at this time.
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 is said to have suffered the severe injury when he fell off the back of the moving vehicle, rolled and hit his head on asphalt.
The group was reportedly leaving a Stagecoach after-party when the accident occurred at the Madison Club in La Quinta, California , which is around six miles from the Empire Polo Club where the country music festival is held.
His wife Cori (right) has also expressed the family’s deep sadness at the ‘unimaginable loss’
Sperbeck is renowned throughout the NFL thanks to his 30-year career as a top agent
Elway and Sperbeck had been business partners, having founded their 7Cellears wine together
Elway reportedly called 911 himself before paramedics arrived. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection responded to the call, as the majority of law enforcement had been working the music festival nearby.
Emergency services arrived on the scene to find Sperbeck unconscious but still breathing, TMZ said.
He was brought to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs but medics offered a bleak prognosis.
Doctors reportedly informed his family that there was ‘no hope’ he would recover and as of Tuesday night doctors were said to have been preparing his organs for donation.
An eyewitness to the tragic accident claimed Sperbeck’s wife was inconsolable as she opened up on the horrific scenes.
‘It was so sad and our hearts go out to the families,’ the source told KESQ’s Blake Arthur.
‘We were heading out of the community and we pulled up. It had to have happened probably one minute before us pulling up. We got there and he was unfortunately lying on the ground and there were people surrounding him, just trying to make sure he was okay. People were on the phone trying to get help there as soon as they possibly could.
Elway pictured with his wife Paige, who was also present at the time of the accident
‘It was so scary. It was nothing like we’ve ever seen. You just don’t think you’re ever going to witness anything like that. His wife was hysterical.’
The eyewitness insisted that emergency services responded swiftly with an ambulance arriving within five minutes.
‘He [Elway] was on the phone trying to call 911 or anyone,’ she added, when asked about the former NFL star’s reaction.
The pair worked together during Elway’s Hall of Fame career as Sperbeck managed his business affairs.
They went on to form wine company 7Cellars together in 2013 – 15 years after John hung up his cleats and retired from the NFL.
As a player, Elway won the Super Bowl twice with the Denver Broncos during his decorated playing career.
Considered a hero in the Mile High City, he spent his entire 16-year career with the team, achieving back-to-back Super Bowl victories in his final two campaigns.
Sperbeck, meanwhile, is renowned throughout the NFL thanks to his 30-year career, crafting multiple successful career beyond the legendary signal caller.
