The son of NFL legend John Elway’s longtime friend and agent, Jeff Sperbeck, is breaking his silence following his dad’s death.
Sperbeck, who was 62, died in April after falling from a golf cart driven by Elway, 64, at the Madison Club in La Quinta, California.
Sperbeck’s son, Jackson, paid tribute to his father via Instagram on Sunday, May 18, sharing a series of photos of him and Sperbeck through the years, including a sweet picture of Sperbeck carrying Jackson as a child on his shoulders. Other photos show Sperbeck hitting the dancefloor at a family event and enjoying ice cream with his kids.
“Your footsteps gave me direction. I’ll walk the rest with purpose,” Jackson captioned the carousel. “I love you dad.”
Sperbeck is survived by his wife, Cori, and three children, Sam, Carly and Jackson.
Earlier this month, TMZ reported that Sperbeck’s cause of death was ruled as blunt head trauma, citing the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. His death was ruled an accident.
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“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” Elway said in a statement on April 30. “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.”
“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,” the statement continued. “Jeff will be deeply missed for the loyalty, wisdom, friendship and love he brought into my life and the lives of so many others.”
Sperbeck’s family also issued a statement over the longtime sports agent’s death the same day.
“We are deeply saddened to share the passing of our beloved Jeff Sperbeck. He was a wonderful father, husband, brother, son and friend to many and will be profoundly missed by all,” the family said. “We are grieving this unimaginable loss as a family alongside our dearest friends the Elways and the many other clients Jeff called friends.”
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The family noted that they are “grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support” they’ve received from the public, but concluded by asking for privacy at this time.
Elway’s professional relationship with Sperbeck dates back to 1990, seven years into the quarterback’s NFL career. The two became close friends during Elway’s playing days, and they cofounded the wine brand 7Cellars together in 2015.
