Total Pro Sports
Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway is reportedly struggling to cope with the loss of his close friend and former agent, Jeff Sperbeck.
On Apr. 26, Jeff Sperbeck suffered a traumatic brain injury after falling out of a golf cart driven by John Elway in La Quinta, California. Sperbeck, who was married with three children, tragically succumbed to his injuries on Apr. 30
Earlier this week, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said there was no criminal activity and that Elway wouldn’t face any charges. Elway wasn’t intoxicated and didn’t commit any form of reckless driving (swerving, speeding, etc.) when the accident occurred.
According to a report from Mara Siegler of Page Six, the Denver Broncos legend has been devastated and “withdrawn” following the passing of his longtime friend and business partner.
A source gave Siegler a heartbreaking update on Elway’s status during this difficult time:
“John is not coping well with the loss and the accident. He has been really upset and withdrawn. He is very down. He is not his usual upbeat self.”
Sperbeck, who had just celebrated his 62nd birthday on Apr. 17, had a close relationship with Elway for over 30 years. Sperbeck became Elway’s agent in 1990 during the second half of the latter’s playing career, and the two started the 7Cellars in 2015.
Four years after becoming John Elway’s agent, Jeff Sperbeck and Mike Sullivan formed the “Sullivan & Sperbeck” agency. Some of Sperbeck’s notable clients included Ronnie Lott, Roger Craig, Joey Porter, Trent Dilfer and Jim Plunkett.
The Broncos had lost three Super Bowls under John Elway before Sperbeck became his agent in 1990. After a frustrating two-year stint with Wade Phillips as his head coach, Elway finally turned a corner when the Broncos hired Mike Shanahan in 1995.
Elway enjoyed a late career renaissance with Sperbeck and Shanahan at his side, leading the Broncos to consecutive Super Bowl championships in 1997 and ’98 before retiring. Elway also won a third championship as GM of the Broncos in 2015, having built a super team led by Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning.
