A tragic golf cart accident involving legendary Denver Broncos quarterback and former general manager John Elway has left his longtime friend and business partner, Jeff Sperbeck, on life support, according to a report by TMZ Sports on April 28, 2025. The incident occurred late Saturday night, April 26, following a party after the Stagecoach music festival in Indio, California, which Elway and Sperbeck had attended with their wives earlier that day.
Per TMZ Sports, Elway was driving the golf cart when Sperbeck, seated at the back, fell off while the vehicle was in motion. Sperbeck struck his head on the asphalt, suffering what sources described as a “traumatic injury.” Elway immediately called 911, and paramedics arrived to find Sperbeck unconscious but still breathing. He was rushed to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he remains on life support. Doctors are reportedly preparing to harvest his organs for donation, indicating a grim prognosis. No other injuries were reported, and law enforcement did not respond to the scene, as the incident occurred on private property and was handled as a medical emergency rather than a criminal matter, per a statement from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office to The Denver Post on April 29.
Elway and Sperbeck have maintained a close relationship since Elway’s playing days, with Sperbeck serving as his agent beginning in 1990. Their bond extended into business ventures, most notably the launch of 7Cellars winery in 2013, a venture that also involved Sperbeck’s role as an NFL-certified contract advisor who has represented over 100 players in his 30-year career, according to the winery’s website. The two were reportedly at Stagecoach—an annual country music festival—celebrating with their families before the accident occurred during their departure from a post-event party.
John Elway, now 64, is one of the most iconic figures in NFL history. Drafted first overall by the Baltimore Colts in 1983 before being traded to the Denver Broncos, Elway played his entire 16-year career in Denver, leading the team to five Super Bowl appearances and winning two (Super Bowl XXXII in 1998 and XXXIII in 1999). He was named Super Bowl MVP in 1999, throwing for 336 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for a score in a 34-19 win over the Atlanta Falcons, per Pro Football Reference. Elway earned NFL MVP honors in 1987, throwing for 3,198 yards and 19 touchdowns while leading the league with a 98.0 passer rating, and made nine Pro Bowls, a Broncos franchise record. His career stats include 51,475 passing yards and 300 touchdowns, placing him among the all-time leaders at the time of his retirement in 1998.
After retiring, Elway returned to the Broncos in 2011 as general manager and executive vice president of football operations, a role he held until 2020. Under his leadership, the Broncos reached two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl 50 in 2016 with Peyton Manning at quarterback, defeating the Carolina Panthers 24-10. Elway transitioned to president of football operations in 2021 and then took on a consultant role in 2022, stepping away from day-to-day operations but remaining a fixture in the organization, per the team’s official website. He also co-owned and served as CEO of the Colorado Crush, an Arena Football League team in Denver, from 2003 to 2008, leading the team to an ArenaBowl XIX title in 2005.
The accident has cast a somber shadow over Elway’s post-football life, which has been marked by successful business endeavors and a continued presence in the NFL community. Neither Elway nor the Broncos have issued an official statement as of April 30, 2025, but a source close to the family told The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel that Elway is “devastated” by the incident and has been at the hospital with Sperbeck’s family. The NFL community has begun to rally around both men, with former Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning telling ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, “My heart goes out to John and Jeff’s family. Jeff has been a tremendous figure in this league, and I’m praying for his recovery.” As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on Sperbeck’s condition and the impact of this tragedy on two men whose partnership has spanned decades in and beyond football.
