The death of Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway's longtime agent and business partner, Jeff Sperbeck, has been ruled as an accident, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco announced Friday (May 2) night via NBC News, though reiterating that his office hasn't concluded its investigation.
"So far it appears to be just a tragic accident."
Sperbeck, 61, was confirmed to have died from injuries sustained, according to the Riverside County (California) corner in a statement obtained by ESPN on Wednesday. The agent was riding on the back of the cart driven by Elway -- who was seated next to another business partner -- before falling off and hitting his head on asphalt at The Madison Club, a private country club in La Quinta, California.
“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck," Elway said in a statement re-shared by ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday (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. Jeff will be deeply missed for the loyalty, wisdom, friendship and love he brought into my life and the lives of so many others.”
Elway, 64, reportedly called 911 and Sperbeck was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, according to TMZ. Elway and Sperbeck had attended Stagecoach music festival earlier in the day with their wives and had left a party just prior to the accident occurring.
Sperbeck, who worked as a sports agent for 30 years, represented Elway in the 1990s prior to launching a winery called 7Cellars, a reference to the quarterback's jersey number, as business partners.
"This has been a terrible time for everyone involved and our hearts continue to go out to the Sperbeck family," said Harvey Steinberg, Elway's attorney, in a statement obtained by NBC News on Friday. "The investigation has confirmed what we already knew: this was a tragic accident and sometimes things happen in life that we will never comprehend," Steinberg said.
Elway retired after leading the Denver Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl victories, which included winning Super Bowl XXXIII MVP in his final appearance. The former No. 1 overall pick ranks 12th in NFL history with 51,475 yards and 14th with 300 touchdown passes.