📰 Steve Smith Sr. Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Affair Under Unusual State Law

Date: May 1, 2025

Former NFL star Steve Smith Sr. is facing a lawsuit in North Carolina under a rare and controversial law known as "alienation of affections." The civil suit, filed by a man named Anthony Martinez, accuses Smith of having an affair with his wife, Nicole, which allegedly led to the breakdown of their marriage.

According to court documents filed in Mecklenburg County, Martinez claims that Smith and Nicole met while she was working with the Baltimore Ravens’ marching band during the filming of Smith’s NFL Network show. The relationship between the two reportedly developed over several months.

The situation gained public attention in February, when explicit messages and alleged phone call recordings between Smith and Nicole were posted on social media. In one video, Martinez confronts Smith, who appears to apologize, although the full context remains unclear.

North Carolina is one of only six states in the U.S. that still allow lawsuits under the alienation of affections law. This law permits a spouse to sue a third party if they believe that person played a role in the destruction of their marriage. To win such a case, the plaintiff must prove that genuine love and affection existed in the marriage, that the relationship was interfered with by the defendant, and that this interference led to the collapse of the relationship.

The case has sparked mixed reactions from the public. Some believe the law is outdated and places blame in the wrong place, while others argue it provides a form of justice for betrayed spouses. Former NFL players Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson discussed the case on their podcast, with both suggesting that the issue should be handled privately between spouses, not in court.

As of now, Steve Smith Sr. has not made any public comments regarding the lawsuit.

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