LA QUINTA, Calif. — The desert sun was unforgiving on April 26 when Jeff Sperbeck, a 62-year-old businessman and lifelong friend of NFL legend John Elway, fell from a golf cart at The Madison Club, a swanky private resort in Southern California. The accident left him with a catastrophic brain injury. Days later, on April 30, Sperbeck’s family made the gut-wrenching call to remove him from life support. Now, they’re speaking out, grappling with grief and setting the record straight.
Sperbeck’s wife, Michelle, and their two adult children, Jake and Allie, released a statement through a family spokesperson on May 1. They described Jeff as a “rock” — a devoted husband, father, and friend whose laugh could fill a room. The family confirmed he suffered a traumatic brain injury after tumbling from the cart, which was driven by Elway, during a casual round at the exclusive club. They emphasized no foul play or negligence is suspected, aligning with early findings from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, which investigated the scene.
The incident unfolded on a manicured fairway, where Sperbeck, a fit and active guy, was riding along with Elway, his longtime business partner. The cart hit a bump or turned sharply — details remain sparse — and Sperbeck, unsecured, was thrown out, his head striking the ground. Paramedics rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors fought to save him. Despite their efforts, the damage was too severe. On April 30, with his family by his side, Sperbeck’s organs were donated, a final act of generosity his family said reflected his character.
Michelle Sperbeck’s statement carried a raw edge of sorrow. She thanked the medical team and the community for their support but asked for privacy as they navigate “this unbearable loss.” She also addressed swirling rumors, firmly stating that Elway, who was “devastated and heartbroken,” bears no blame. Elway himself released a brief statement on April 30 through his attorney, expressing grief and calling Sperbeck his “brother” in a bond forged over decades.
The two men’s friendship stretched back to their days at Stanford University, where they played football together. Sperbeck, a standout tight end, went on to build a successful career in real estate and hospitality, often collaborating with Elway on ventures like car dealerships and restaurants. Friends described Sperbeck as the quieter counterpart to Elway’s larger-than-life persona — a steady hand who preferred deals to the spotlight.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, in a report issued on April 29, noted the golf cart was moving at a “normal speed” and found no evidence of alcohol or reckless driving. The investigation remains open, but deputies have signaled it’s likely to be classified as a tragic accident. The Madison Club, known for its A-list clientele and pristine links, declined to comment, citing respect for the family.
Sperbeck’s family has not announced funeral plans but hinted at a private memorial. They’ve asked that donations in Jeff’s name go to a local charity supporting traumatic brain injury research, a cause now painfully personal. For now, they’re leaning on each other, trying to make sense of a sunny afternoon that turned their world dark.
Jeff Sperbeck was 62. He is survived by his wife, Michelle, their son, Jake, their daughter, Allie, and a wide circle of friends and colleagues.