John Elway Won't Be Charged after Friend's Death Is Ruled an Accident

Yomiuri Shimbun

16-07-2025

John Elway will not face charges following a law enforcement investigation of the death of Jeff Sperbeck, the Hall of Fame quarterback's former business partner and longtime friend.
Sperbeck died in April at 62 after he fell from a golf cart that reportedly was being driven by Elway, 65. On Monday, the Riverside County (California) Sheriff's Office announced that it 'determined that the incident was a tragic accident with no evidence of criminal activity or intent.'
'Consequently, no criminal charges will be filed at this time,' the announcement continued, 'and the case will be documented as an accidental death.'
The incident occurred at a private club in La Quinta as Elway was driving the cart to his nearby residence, according to Denver's KUSA. Sperbeck reportedly fell off the back of the cart and suffered a fatal head injury.
The two had attended a music festival earlier in the day, according to TMZ Sports, and were leaving a post-event party when Sperbeck fell. He died two days later, per authorities.
'I've looked at video [of the incident] 100 times and there's no explanation as to why he fell off,'' Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco told KUSA on Friday. 'He just fell off.'
Bianco, who also oversees the county coroner's office, added that there was 'nothing criminal' about the case.
'It's over,' he said. 'We talked to everyone involved, and we found nothing new.'
Sperbeck was Elway's marketing representative in the 1990s, when the quarterback capped a career spent entirely with the Denver Broncos by leading the team to two straight Super Bowl wins. Sperbeck, who also worked with dozens of other NFL players and coaches, subsequently helped Elway manage ventures such as restaurants and a winery.
In an April statement to ESPN, Elway said he was 'absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck.'
'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,' Elway said. '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 starring at Stanford, Elway was drafted by the Baltimore Colts as 1983's No. 1 pick before forcing a trade to Denver. He won NFL and Super Bowl MVP honors and was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection during 16 seasons with the Broncos. Elway went on to become a Broncos executive and help build the team that won Super Bowl 50. His direct association with the team ended when his contract expired in 2023.
In the wake of the investigation of Sperbeck's death, Elway hired Denver-based attorney Harvey Steinberg, who has represented a number of athletes with ties to Colorado. Steinberg said in an email Monday that 'this has been a very difficult situation for everyone.'
'We always knew John had done nothing wrong,' Steinberg wrote, 'but that does not lessen the sadness associated with this situation.'