Former Panther Steve Smith Sr. sued for ‘alienation of affection.’ What is that?
NFL star Steve Smith Sr. is facing an alienation of affection lawsuit following allegations he had an affair with a married man’s wife.
What does that mean?
North Carolina is one of the few states that allow such legal dramas to unfold. The alienation of affection statutes often are called “homewrecker laws.”
Judges have issued multi-million-dollar awards in these rare cases, which are typically filed against the person who allegedly interfered with a marriage. Those lawsuits aim to prove that the interfering person — or “homewrecker” — shifted affection away from the suing spouse in what was otherwise a loving and affectionate marriage.
The North Carolina Court of Appeals has called the law misogynistic.
In 2017, a judge in the state’s top appellate court wrote that the law was “born out of misogyny” but said it remained constitutional under state laws.
And while the law may seem outdated to some cases continue to be filed — and won.
NC alienation of affection lawsuits
In 2017, former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox settled an alienation of affection lawsuit against him filed by a Huntersville man who alleged the NFL player seduced his wife. Cox admitted no liability but settled the lawsuit the following year.
In 2018, a Durham County judge awarded $8.8 million in a lawsuit against the man who reportedly seduced BMX bike show personality Keith King’s wife.
And in 2011, a Raleigh judge awarded $30 million to Carol Puryear when she filed a lawsuit against the woman who slipped her number to Puryear’s husband — a trucking company owner — at a funeral.
Allegations against NFL star Steve Smith, Sr.
Antonio Martinez, the man suing Smith, accuses him of a monthslong affair with his wife, a Baltimore Ravens marching band member.
The lawsuit alleges alienation of affection, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, punitive damages and attorney’s fees.
Martinez is asking for more than $100,000. Court documents do not name a specific amount.
Martinez filed the lawsuit in North Carolina because Smith allegedly sent most of the text messages to the Marching Ravens member from North Carolina.
Smith has lived in Charlotte with his wife and family for more than 15 years.
To dismiss alienation of affection cases, defendants typically must prove there was not genuine love and affection in the disrupted marriage.
Martinez included a post from his wedding page in the lawsuit. “This love is definitely one for the story books,” it read.
But for months, Smith and Martinez’ wife messaged back and forth about their daily lives as well as their sexual fantasies with each other, according to the lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit, after an in-person encounter in January, Martinez’ wife wrote in a text message to Smith, “I haven’t felt that spark in years.”
Efforts to reach Smith via a personal phone number listed on public records, his former agent, his Charlotte foundation and the NFL Network’s public relations desk were unsuccessful.
This story was originally published May 2, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Former Panther Steve Smith Sr. sued for ‘alienation of affection.’ What is that?."
