Jeff Sperbeck, the agent of NFL legend John Elway, has died at the age of 62 following the horrific golf-cart accident that left him on life support.
The former quarterback’s longtime agent and close friend fell off the back of a golf cart, which was being driven by Elway, on Saturday evening.
Sperbeck had been rushed to a trauma unit and placed on life support but doctors had indicated that there was ‘no hope’ he would make a recovery after suffering a severe brain injury.
He succumbed to his injuries at 1:10am local time Wednesday morning, four days after the accident occurred, officials announced.
Sperbeck and Elway were traveling on the vehicle with their wives after attending an after-party at Stagecoach music festival in California at around 7pm. TMZ later reported that the Denver Broncos icon had been the one operating the cart at the time of the accident.
Police reportedly did not respond to the scene Saturday night, but Riverside County Sheriff’s Office was later made aware of the incident on Monday and has launched an investigation, local news channel, KESQ, reported.
Jeff Sperbeck (R), the agent of NFL legend John Elway, has reportedly died at the age of 62
Sperbeck suffered traumatic injuries after falling from the back of a golf cart at the weekend
Elway was a two-time Super Bowl winner during his Hall of Fame playing career
However, there is no indication that Elway was driving negligently and is not being accused of any wrongdoing at this time.
Sperbeck is said to suffered the severe injury when he fell off the back of the moving vehicle, rolled and hit his head on asphalt.
The group was reportedly leaving a Stagecoach after-party when the accident occurred at the Madison Club in La Quinta, California , which is around six miles from the Empire Polo Club where the country music festival is held.
Elway reportedly called 911 himself before paramedics arrived. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection responded to the call, as the majority of law enforcement had been working the music festival nearby.
Emergency services arrived on the scene to find Sperbeck unconscious but still breathing, TMZ said.
He was brought to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs but medics offered a bleak prognosis.
Doctors reportedly informed his family that there was ‘no hope’ he would recover and as of Tuesday night doctors were said to have been preparing his organs for donation.
An eyewitness to the tragic accident claimed Sperbeck’s wife was inconsolable as she opened up on the horrific scenes.
The legendary quarterback is reported to have been driving the vehicle at the time
The pair had been attending an after-party at Stagecoach music festival with their wives
Elway and Sperbeck had been business partners, having founded their 7Cellears wine
‘It was so sad and our hearts go out to the families,’ the source told KESQ’s Blake Arthur.
‘We were heading out of the community and we pulled up. It had to have happened probably one minute before us pulling up. We got there and he was unfortunately lying on the ground and there were people surrounding him, just trying to make sure he was okay. People were on the phone trying to get help there as soon as they possibly could.
‘It was so scary. It was nothing like we’ve ever seen. You just don’t think you’re ever going to witness anything like that. His wife was hysterical.’
The eyewitness insisted that emergency services responded swiftly with an ambulance arriving within five minutes.
‘He [Elway] was on the phone trying to call 911 or anyone,’ she added, when asked about the former NFL star’s reaction.
The pair worked together during Elway’s Hall of Fame career as Sperbeck managed his business affairs.
They went on to form wine company 7Cellars together in 2013 – 15 years after Elway hung up his cleats and retired from the NFL.
As a player, Elway won the Super Bowl twice with the Denver Broncos during his decorated playing career.
Considered a hero in the Mile High City, Elway spent his entire 16-year career with the team, achieving back-to-back Super Bowl victories in his final two campaigns.
Elway pictured with his wife Paige, who was also present at the time of the accident
The incident reportedly occurred near the Madison Club in La Quinta, California
Sperbeck is renowned throughout the NFL thanks to his 30-year career as a top agent
Sperbeck, meanwhile, is renowned throughout the NFL thanks to his 30-year career, crafting multiple successful career beyond the legendary signal caller.
He has represented over 100 NFL players across the course of his distinguished career and continues to do so through the Rep 1 Sports agency, which in 2017 merged with his agency, Novo.
California-based Rep 1 Sports represents stars across the sporting landscape.
Sperbeck became the manager of Elway’s marketing and business activities in 1990 and according to the 7cellars website, it was his idea for the friends and partners to enter the wine industry.
