Former Panther Steve Smith Sr. sued by man who alleges affair with wife
A lawsuit filed against former NFL star and analyst Steve Smith Sr. accuses the former Carolina Panthers wide receiver of having a monthslong affair with a married Baltimore Ravens marching band member.
The band member’s husband, Antonio Martinez, is asking the Panthers legend and N.C. Sports of Hall Famer for more than $100,000 in the civil lawsuit filed Tuesday in Mecklenburg County Superior Court.
It’s filed under North Carolina’s “alienation of affection” law, colloquially known as a “homewrecker law,” which allows a spouse to sue a third party for interfering with and destroying a marriage’s love and affection. Only a handful of U.S. states allow such lawsuits.
News of the allegations broke in February when an account with Martinez’ name posted screenshots of messages allegedly sent between Smith — a 13-season Panthers star — and Martinez’ wife, Nicole, tabloids reported.
Martinez found the messages in late February and, according to the lawsuit, called Smith to confront him.
“You’ve been f------ my wife, bro,” Martinez said, according to the lawsuit. “Whatcha gotta say for yourself?”
“I’m sorry,” Smith reportedly responded, according to the lawsuit.
Efforts to reach Smith via a personal phone number listed on public records, his former agent, his Charlotte foundation and the NFL Network’s public relations desk were unsuccessful.
Lawsuit describes how Smith met her
Martinez’ wife reportedly met Smith at her job with the Baltimore Ravens’ marching band.
Smith, a Panthers legend who played with the Baltimore Ravens and is now an NFL analyst, joined the marching band in September to film an episode for “The NFL’s Most Interesting Jobs with Steve Smith,” according to the lawsuit.
There, Smith, who has lived in Charlotte for more than 15 years with his wife and family, met Martinez’ wife and gave her his contact information, according to the lawsuit.
For months, Smith and Martinez’ wife messaged back and forth. They talked about their days, their families and their sexual fantasies with each other, according to the lawsuit.
In January, they met again when Smith returned to Baltimore for the Ravens playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. That weekend, Martinez’ wife went to Smith’s hotel room, the lawsuit alleges.
“I haven’t felt that spark in years,” Martinez’ wife wrote to Smith, according to the lawsuit.
Martinez included a post from his wedding page in the lawsuit. “This love is definitely one for the story books,” it read.
In order to prove alienation of affection, Martinez must prove genuine love and affection existed in their marriage.
The lawsuit alleges alienation of affection, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, punitive damages and attorney’s fees.
This story was originally published May 1, 2025 at 10:50 AM.
