Former NFL star Steve Smith responds to affair lawsuit filed in Charlotte court
NFL star Steve Smith Sr. is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit accusing him of ruining another man’s marriage with a monthslong affair.
The man’s civil lawsuit cited the unique North Carolina alienation of affection law, also known as a “homewrecker law.” It also asked Smith, an N.C. Sports Hall of Famer and 13-season Panthers star, for more than $100,000.
For a chance to see that sum, Antonio Martinez of Maryland must prove genuine love and affection existed in his marriage with a Baltimore Raven marching band member before, as he alleges, she and Smith began an affair.
In a recent court filing, Smith said that cannot be proven: Martinez had filed for divorce from his wife nine months before Smith met her.
Lawyers representing Smith and Martinez did not respond to requests for comment before publication.
Affair lawsuit with Panthers legend Steve Smith Sr.
The lawsuit, filed in Mecklenburg County Superior Court, alleges an affair between Smith and Martinez’ wife, Nicole.
According to the lawsuit, the two met when Smith, who played with the Baltimore Ravens and is now an NFL analyst, joined her marching band in September to film an episode for “The NFL’s Most Interesting Jobs with Steve Smith.”
There, Smith, who has lived in Charlotte for more than 15 years with his wife and family, gave her his contact information.
A Union County Sheriff’s Office deputy served the lawsuit at Smith’s home in May, court records show.
Smith fires back on allegations
But a motion to dismiss filed by Smith’s lawyer in late June contains a Maryland court document that could upend the lawsuit’s claims: divorce paperwork filed nine months before Smith filmed with the Ravens band.
Martinez and his wife married in 2021. By January 2024, Martinez filed for divorce, according to Smith’s motion.
Martinez wrote in his divorce paperwork that his wife was “verbally, physically and mentally abusive” and had “been arrested twice for domestic violence.” They’d been separated since June 2023, he said.
In the filing, he said he wanted custody of their son, who is not yet 4, alimony and his furniture.
