Former Panthers and Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith is being sued for having an affair with a married Baltimore Ravens marching band member, according to The Charlotte Observer.
A man named Antonio Martinez filed a civil lawsuit seeking $100,000 dollars in damages under North Carolina’s “alienation of affection” law on Tuesday in Mecklenburg County Superior Court.
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Smith had a 16-year NFL career and was a five-time Pro Bowler, leading the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 2005. He joined NFL Network as an analyst in 2018.
Here's what to know about the lawsuit filed against Steve Smith.
Steve Smith lawsuit, explained
Allegations that Smith was having an affair with Martinez's wife, Nicole, surfaced in February, when Antonio posted screenshots of messages allegedly sent between the two. The NFL Network analyst and the marching band member appeared to have met in September during production of an episode for “The NFL’s Most Interesting Jobs with Steve Smith” and kept communicating after that.
In order to prove "alienation of affection," Martinez must show that Smith disrupted "genuine love and affection" that existed in his marriage.
Smith and Nicole Martinez allegedly messaged back and forth for months, talking about their days, their families and their sexual fantasies with each other, according to the lawsuit.
Martinez discovered the messages in late February and called Smith to confront him. “You’ve been f—ing my wife, bro,” Martinez allegedly said on the call. “Whatcha gotta say for yourself?”
The former wide receiver responded by saying "I'm sorry," according to the lawsuit.
What is the 'alienation of affection' law
The lawsuit against Smith is filed under North Carolina’s “alienation of affection” law, colloquially known as a “homewrecker law.”
The statute allows a spouse to sue a third party and seek damages for interfering with and destroying a marriage. There does not have to be proof of a sexual relationship between the spouse and a third party, only that there was wrongful conduct that led to the end of the marriage.
North Carolina is one of six states that have such a law, with the others being Hawaii, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota and Utah.