Former NFL star Steve Smith, recognized for his time with the Carolina Panthers, is now embroiled in a lawsuit initiated by Antonio Martinez, the husband of a Baltimore Ravens marching band member. The lawsuit claims that Smith had a prolonged affair with Nicole Martinez, a narrative summarized by the Charlotte Observer.

Details of the Lawsuit

This legal action is filed under North Carolina’s “alienation of affection” statute, often referred to as the “homewrecker law,” which permits a spouse to take legal action against a third party who is purported to have ruined their marriage. The charges assert that Smith and Nicole Martinez had met while filming an episode of NFL Network’s “The NFL’s Most Interesting Jobs”; subsequent messages exchanged between them were reportedly of a sexual nature.

The affair allegedly included visits from Mrs. Martinez to Smith’s hotel room during playoff games hosted in Baltimore. The affair drew public attention in February when Martinez publicly released damning messages from Smith to his wife via social media that included an explicit image. Following these revelations, Smith reportedly apologized multiple times when confronted directly by Martinez.

The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $100,000 and also includes claims for emotional distress and attorney fees, compounding the gravity of the situation. Martinez must establish that there was a genuine emotional bond in his marriage to substantiate the alienation of affection claim, as highlighted in the lawsuit.