Tag: John Elway

May 28, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Former American football player John Elway in attendance between the Cleveland Guardians against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Report: John Elway won’t be charged in death of business partner

Posted on | by Field Level Media

John Elway will not be charged in the April incident in which his longtime business partner fell off a golf cart driven by the Hall of Fame quarterback and later died, a Denver television station reported.

Jeff Sperbeck was 62 when he passed away in La Quinta, Calif.

Chad Bianco, the sheriff in Riverside County, Calif., told 9NEWS that the investigation confirmed the initial findings of an accident and that the cause of death was blunt force trauma.

“We’ve talked to everyone involved and we found nothing new,” he told the station. “There was nothing criminal. It was what we’ve been saying all along that this was a tragic accident.”

An official announcement from the sheriff’s department is due soon, according to 9NEWS.

Elway, Sperbeck and their wives were in the desert to attend the Stagecoach music festival, TMZ reported in April.

Elway, 65, and Sperbeck founded 7Cellars winery together in 2013. Sperbeck also was Elway’s longtime agent.

Sperbeck, certified by the NFL, represented more than 100 NFL players as an agent and business adviser over a 30-year career, according to his bio on the winery’s website.

“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” Elway said in a statement after Sperbeck’s death. “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 played for the Denver Broncos from 1983-98, winning Super Bowl championships in each of his final two seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004. He returned to the team as an executive in 2011, working as the general manager through 2020 and as president of football operations in 2021.

–Field Level Media

May 28, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Former American football player John Elway in attendance between the Cleveland Guardians against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Report: John Elway driving golf cart when friend injured

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pro Football Hall of Fame member John Elway was driving the golf cart when his former agent fell out and sustained a life-threatening head injury last weekend, TMZ reported Wednesday.

Jeff Sperbeck, 61, a longtime friend and business partner of the legendary Denver Broncos quarterback, is on life support after the incident Saturday in La Quinta, Calif., per the report.

TMZ confirmed that Elway was behind the wheel when Sperbeck fell off the back of the moving cart and struck his head on asphalt.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection told KESQ it responded to an accident involving a golf cart and transported an unnamed patient to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating the incident.

Elway and Sperbeck and their wives attended the Stagecoach music festival earlier Saturday in nearby Indio, Calif., according to TMZ.

Elway, 64, and Sperbeck founded 7Cellars winery together in 2013.

Sperbeck, certified by the NFL, represented more than 100 NFL players as an agent and business adviser over a 30-year career, according to his bio on the winery’s website.

Elway played for the Broncos from 1983-98, winning Super Bowl championships in each of his final two seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004. He returned to the team as an executive in 2011, working as the general manager through 2020 and as president of football operations in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos president of football operations John Elway looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

John Elway: Brian Flores’ claims against Broncos ‘false and defamatory’

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John Elway said Brian Flores was a serious candidate for the Denver Broncos’ coaching job when he interviewed in January 2019 — contrary to what Flores charged in a discrimination lawsuit filed this week against the NFL.

In his lawsuit, Flores called the interview with Denver’s brass a “sham” and said he was interviewed only because of the Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview a minority candidate.

In a statement issued Thursday to The Denver Post, Elway — now president of football operations — said Flores’ statements were false.

“While I was not planning to respond publicly to the false and defamatory claims by Brian Flores, I could not be silent any longer with my character, integrity and professionalism being attacked.

“I took Coach Flores very seriously as a candidate for our head coaching position in 2019 and enjoyed our three-and-a-half hour interview with him. Along with the rest of our group, I was prepared, ready and fully engaged during the entire interview as Brian shared his experience and vision for our team.

“It’s unfortunate and shocking to learn for the first time this week that Brian felt differently about our interview with him.”

The Broncos hired Vic Fangio. The Miami Dolphins hired Flores and fired him last month after the team went 9-8 in 2021.

Fangio also was fired following the 2021 season. The Broncos replaced him with Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

In his lawsuit, Flores also said the New York Giants conducted a “sham interview” before hiring Brian Daboll last week, and he alleged Dolphins owner Steven Ross offered him money to lose games to improve the team’s draft stock. Both parties denied the allegations.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; A Denver Broncos helmet on the ground before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: George Paton to become GM of Broncos

Posted on | by Field Level Media

George Paton agreed to terms on a six-year deal to become the general manager of the Denver Broncos, multiple media outlets reported on Wednesday.

Paton reportedly will take over the post formerly held by Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway, who remains the team’s president of football operations.

The Broncos, however, have yet to formally make an announcement as of early Wednesday afternoon.

Paton has spent 14 years with the Minnesota Vikings, including as assistant general manager under Rick Spielman.

Paton will attempt to shake up the Broncos, who limped to a 5-11 record this past season. They have yet to return to the playoffs since posting a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Denver Broncos general manager John Elway before the game against the New York Jet at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Elway stepping down as Broncos’ general manager

Posted on | by Field Level Media

John Elway announced Monday that he plans to relinquish his role as the general manager of the Denver Broncos.

Elway, however, will remain as the team’s president of football operations and plans to hire a general manager that will work closely with head coach Vic Fangio. Elway has served as the Broncos’ general manager since 2011.

“Working in this role for the last 10 years and going back to my playing days, I’ve always tried to do everything I can to help the Broncos win and get better,” Elway said as part of a lengthy statement. “As part of a transition I’ve thought about for a long time, I have made the decision to step up into an elevated role and hire a general manager to lead our personnel and football staff.”

Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis said that the two had “very positive — and honest — conversations about improving the team.”

“John Elway is the most important and impactful person in the history of the Denver Broncos. I have nothing but gratitude for how he accepted this challenge 10 years ago and helped us accomplish great things as an organization,” Ellis said.

“… John arrived at this decision, and I’m fully supportive of him and his new structure. With all of his experience and competitive fire, I know John will be a tremendous resource for the Broncos in this role.”

Matt Russell, who has worked alongside Elway for 10 years, was going to be granted an opportunity to interview for the general manager job. Russell, who served as the vice president of player personnel, has opted to retire from the organization.

Elway, 60, helped the Broncos to two Super Bowl titles during his 16-year playing career. A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Elway was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Under his watch as general manager, the Broncos have appeared in two Super Bowls. They have yet to return to the playoffs since posting a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos general manager John Elway before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Elway, Broncos CEO Ellis test positive for COVID-19

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos general manager John Elway and team president/CEO Joe Ellis tested positive for COVID-19, the team announced Tuesday.

Both are away from the facility. The organization and team were notified Tuesday morning.

“Other than mild symptoms, both Joe and John are doing well. They will continue to work from home in self-isolation and participate in virtual meetings while their health is monitored,” the team said in a statement. “Based on a review of contact tracing data with the league, we are confident these cases originated independently outside team facilities. There were minimal close contacts identified for each (no players or coaches), and those individuals have been notified.

“While our facilities are closed for Election Day, coaches are conducting their game preparations (Tuesday) remotely as a precaution. Our organization will remain in communication with the NFL, making all decisions in consultation with the league and based on guidance from medical experts,” the team said.

There has been a spike in COVID-19 cases in Colorado, which reported 13,799 new infections last week — the second consecutive week with more than 10,000 cases.

Broncos offensive lineman Graham Glasgow is on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and assistant coaches Mike Munchak and Ed Donatell remain away from the team, per protocols. Running backs coach Curtis Modkins is back with the team after being in the protocol. Multiple staff members also have tested positive.

Ellis came down with symptoms Sunday morning and missed the team’s home game vs. the Los Angeles Chargers — his first game-day absence in Denver in 26 years, 9News reported.

Elway, the Hall of Fame quarterback who brought two Super Bowls to Denver, started feeling unwell Monday morning and was sent home after contacting the team’s medical staff.

The team canceled practice last Friday after Glasgow tested positive.

The Broncos (3-4) are scheduled to play the Falcons (2-6) in Atlanta on Sunday.

–Field Level Media