A former federal prosecutor from California expressed skepticism regarding the integrity and effectiveness of the sheriff’s office handling the investigation into John Elway’s golf cart incident.
The incident involved Elway’s long-term friend and agent, Jeffrey Sperbeck, age 62, who reportedly fell from the back of a golf cart at the Madison Club in La Quinta, California. Officials from Cal Fire informed Fox News Digital that they responded to the incident at 6:50 p.m. on March 26. Sperbeck suffered “serious injuries” and was subsequently taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he later passed away on Wednesday.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the golf cart incident. While Elway is not facing any criminal charges, Fox News Digital verified on Friday that he has engaged Harvey Steinberg, a lawyer from Denver, for representation. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office made a statement in a post on X on Friday evening, asserting that “there’s nothing to indicate that this is anything more than a tragic accident.”
TMZ reported Elway was driving the golf cart at the time of the incident and was leaving a Stagecoach after-party. Public records show Elway has a property 10 minutes away from the Madison Club.
John Elway stands on the field before a game between the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High Dec. 19, 2021, in Denver, Colo. (Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday it would “take appropriate action based on the outcome” of the investigation.
Elway publicly commented on the incident after Sperbeck died Wednesday, according to ESPN.
“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” Elway said. “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 family also released a statement after his death.
John Elway stands on the sideline during the fourth quarter of a game between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High Dec. 1, 2019, in Denver, Colo. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
“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,” the Sperbeck family said. “We are grieving this unimaginable loss as a family alongside our dearest friends, the Elways, and the many other clients Jeff called friends.”
Elway and Sperbeck became friends in 1990 after Sperbeck became Elway’s manager. Among Sperbeck’s other clients are Pro Football Hall of Famers Ronnie Lott and Jim Plunkett, and the agent has represented hundreds of other NFL players.
Fox News Digital reached out to Elway’s lawyer for comment.
