Ex-NFL Star Steve Smith Sr. Sued Under ‘Homewrecker Law’ for Alleged Affair With Man’s Wife

Former NFL wide receiver and Carolina Panthers legend Steve Smith Sr. is facing a civil lawsuit filed in Mecklenburg County Superior Court, accusing him of engaging in a months-long affair with a married member of the Baltimore Ravens marching band. The suit was filed by the woman’s husband, Antonio Martinez, under North Carolina’s rarely used “alienation of affection” statute.

Martinez is seeking over $100,000 in damages, alleging that Smith destroyed the love and affection in his marriage. The law, known colloquially as the “homewrecker law,” allows a spouse to sue a third party for intentionally interfering in a marriage. Only a few states still permit such legal claims.

Steve Smith has been busted having an affair with another man’s wife. 😯

The woman’s husband got a hold of explicit text messages between his wife and Smith, as well as a video of Smith saying “I’m sorry.”

Smith is currently in a marriage of 25 years with four children. pic.twitter.com/qzQNsmMZnF

— Key To The City 🔑 (@K3yToTheCity) February 23, 2025

According to the complaint, the alleged affair began after Smith filmed an episode of The NFL’s Most Interesting Jobs with the Ravens band in September. The lawsuit claims Smith gave Martinez’s wife his contact information, and the two began communicating regularly, exchanging messages about their personal lives, families, and sexual fantasies.

The relationship allegedly turned physical during a January visit to Baltimore when the Ravens hosted the Buffalo Bills in a playoff game. The lawsuit states that Martinez’s wife visited Smith at his hotel during that weekend and later messaged him, “I haven’t felt that spark in years.”

Martinez claims he discovered the relationship in February after finding the messages. According to the lawsuit, he confronted Smith directly, telling him, “You’ve been f—— my wife, bro. Whatcha gotta say for yourself?” Smith allegedly responded, “I’m sorry.” The exchange also went viral on social media.

The lawsuit also includes claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. Martinez provided a screenshot of a post from the couple’s wedding website describing their marriage as “one for the story books” in an attempt to demonstrate that genuine love and affection existed prior to the alleged affair.

Smith, a five-time Pro Bowler who spent 13 seasons with the Panthers before retiring in 2016, has lived in Charlotte with his wife and children for over 15 years.