Questions have emerged over the handling of the investigation into the fatal golf cart incident involving Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway, as criticism mounts over the timeline and communication by law enforcement in Riverside County, California.
The incident occurred last Saturday at the Madison Club, a private residential and golf community in La Quinta. According to a statement from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Elway was driving a golf cart when his longtime friend and agent, Jeffrey Sperbeck, 62, fell from the back of the vehicle. Sperbeck reportedly struck his head on the pavement, sustaining critical injuries. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries on Wednesday.
The sheriff’s office has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event. In a social media post released Friday, the department stated that “there’s nothing to indicate that this is anything more than a tragic accident.” However, the timing of the law enforcement response has drawn scrutiny from legal experts and observers.
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Neama Rahmani expressed concern about the handling of the case, questioning why the sheriff’s office was not informed of the incident until two days after it occurred. Rahmani suggested in comments to Fox News that either information is being withheld or the sheriff’s department failed to respond appropriately. “Nothing else makes sense,” Rahmani said, characterizing the response as “strange” and raising the possibility of procedural irregularities.
Cal Fire, which responded to the original emergency, told Fox News that the sheriff’s office was not alerted at the time of the incident because the call was classified as medical in nature. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has not commented directly on that aspect of the timeline, but in a separate statement released Wednesday, the department affirmed that it would take “appropriate action based on the outcome” of its ongoing investigation.
In response to Rahmani’s comments, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco defended his office, stating, “Maybe it’s a good thing it’s coming from a ‘former federal prosecutor.’ It appears we are all much better off with them in retirement.”
No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the incident. Elway has retained legal representation through Denver-based attorney Harvey Steinberg.
Following Sperbeck’s death, Elway issued a public statement expressing his grief. The statement, shared with ESPN, described Sperbeck as more than a business associate. “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.”
John Elway’s former agent and longtime business partner Jeff Sperbeck has died after the pair were involved in a golf cart accident. He was 61. https://t.co/4n4BBlKczf pic.twitter.com/3tZxeCEizU
— E! News (@enews) May 1, 2025
Sperbeck had represented Elway since 1990 and had a client roster that included several other NFL Hall of Famers such as Ronnie Lott and Jim Plunkett. He was a prominent figure in sports management and held long-standing relationships with numerous professional athletes.
Elway, a two-time Super Bowl Champion, spent his entire 16-year playing career with the Denver Broncos before transitioning into executive leadership roles with the team. He served as general manager and executive vice president, remaining involved with the Broncos organization in various capacities until 2023.
The investigation into the incident remains open, with the sheriff’s office continuing to review the facts surrounding Sperbeck’s fall and subsequent death.
