Steve Smith Sr., a former NFL wide receiver and analyst, is now facing legal action tied to accusations of a marital affair in a lawsuit that could see him forced to shell out $100,000 as part of North Carolina’s ‘homewrecker law’.
A civil action has been filed against Smith in the Mecklenburg County Superior Court by Anthony Martinez, who alleges that the ex-athlete had an extended extramarital relationship with his wife, Nicole.
According to the lawsuit, Martinez is seeking damages under the “alienation of affection” statute which allows a spouse to sue a third party for intentionally interfering in a marriage, by disrupting the affection and bond between spouses.
North Carolina is one of only six states in the USA that still permits such legal claims, and Martinez must prove he and his wife still enjoyed a genuine, loving relationship before Smith’s interference.
The complaint asserts that the ex-Carolina Panther and Baltimore Ravens receiver and Nicole began their relationship while she was working with the Ravens marching band, meeting during filming a segment for The NFL’s Most Interesting Jobs with Steve Smith.
The affair became public in February when screenshots of explicit conversations between Smith and Nicole surfaced on X.com (formerly Twitter), but were later deleted. Martinez also claims he called the ex-Panthers star directly.
“You’ve been f**king my wife, bro,” Martinez allegedly said during the call, according to the lawsuit. To which Smith, who made 87 career touchdowns, reportedly replied, “I’m sorry.”
Chad ‘Ochocinco’ laughs off lawsuit
While the case will ultimately rest on whether Martinez can prove that the romantic connection in his marriage was disrupted by Smith‘s actions, the story has attracted national attention. It has also sparked commentary from other former NFL players.
For example, on their Nightcap podcast, Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson addressed the controversy and Johnson dismissed the idea of pursuing legal action against Smith.
“You never confront the individual,” Johnson said. “Because Steve Smith owes you no loyalty.
“You talk to your wife, you check your wife. Understand who you’re marrying. Human nature is undefeated.”
Sharpe echoed that sentiment, noting his long friendship with Smith, who was voted NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2005 and is additionally in the Panthers’ Hall of Honor.
“I’ve known Smitty 20 years,” Sharpe said. “He was just at my party at the Super Bowl, had a great conversation with him.
“I love the guy. But bro, you need to take that up with your wife. Smitty owes you no loyalty.”
North Carolina’s ‘homewrecker law’ appears in the courtroom around 200 times per year, based on data from mypendletonlaw.com, and was almost repealed in 1984 before the Supreme Court reversed the ruling. It was last updated by the General Assembly in 2009.
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