According to Julia Coin of The Charlotte Observer, a lawsuit has been filed against Carolina Panthers great Steve Smith Sr.—who is being accused of having an affair with a married member of the Baltimore Ravens marching band.
The civil lawsuit—which was filed by the band member’s husband, Antonio Martinez, in Mecklenburg Country Superior Court on Tuesday—seeks over $100,000 from Smith under North Carolina’s “alienation of affection” law. Otherwise known as the “homewrecker law,” this legislation allows a spouse to sue a third party for actions causing the loss of love and affection between said spouse and their partner.
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According to the lawsuit, Smith met Martinez’s wife while filming an episode of “The NFL’s Most Interesting Jobs with Steve Smith” in September. They’d meet again in January, when Smith returned to Baltimore.
Smith became the center of controversy on social media back in February, when Martinez posted what appeared to be evidence of the affair on Twitter/X.
Martinez is alleging alienation of affection, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress while seeking punitive damages and attorney’s fees.
Smith, now an NFL Network analyst, played his 16 pro seasons between the Panthers (2001 to 2013) and the Ravens (2014 to 2016).
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers great Steve Smith Sr. sued in Charlotte for alleged affair