Man seeking $100k compensation from husband of Steve Smith Sr.'s purported Ravens band member lover
Rewritten Article:
Steve Smith Sr.'s bank balance might need a serious boost, buddy!
The ex-football player's alleged romantic escapades could cost him a hefty six-figure sum if his lover's husband has his day in court.
Anthony Martinez, who outed Smith's relationship with his wife Nicole through a series of revealing text messages and a recorded phone call in February, has taken legal action against Smith in North Carolina. Martinez's lawsuit, filed under the state's "homewrecker law," was brought to light this week.
As per the Charlotte Observer, this law, colloquially known as "alienation of affection," allows a spouse to sue a third party for interfering with and destroying a marriage's love and affection. Few U.S. states recognize such lawsuits, and North Carolina is one of the six that do.
Smith is being sued for over $100,000, with no cap on the monetary limit under this law in the state.
Smith, who played 16 seasons in the NFL, was a member of the Baltimore Ravens from 2014 to 2016. Martinez's wife, Nicole, was a member of the team's band, "Marching Ravens."
The Observer reports that Smith and Nicole Martinez's relationship started around the time Smith was filming "The NFL's Most Interesting Jobs with Steve Smith," which included the Marching Ravens. According to the lawsuit, the pair exchanged numbers and began texting, with Nicole visiting Smith's hotel room on a weekend of a Bills - Ravens playoff game a few months later.
Anthony Martinez announced the alleged affair to the world this winter via his X account, sharing pictures of a text exchange between him and Smith. He didn't sugarcoat the revelation:
"My wife works for the Marching Ravens @Ravens. She met Steve Smith Sr at work. Steve Smith has been (expletive) my wife. I got receipts, I got a lot more homie," Martinez wrote.
He later posted a recorded phone call that appears to be with Smith, who remained silent during the call, only saying, "I'm sorry."
Now, Martinez is seeking at least $100k from Smith for having an affair with his band-member wife.
That's one pricey gig.
*Stay tuned on X @OhioAF***
Enrichment Data Integration:While North Carolina's "alienation of affection" law is based on proving that love and affection in the marriage were destroyed by a third party’s actions, the lawsuit against former NFL player Steve Smith Sr. centers around text messages Smith allegedly sent to Martinez’s wife. The law requires proof that the marriage was loving before the alleged interference occurred. Critics argue the law, which remains constitutional despite its controversial origins, is steeped in misogyny.
- The ongoing lawsuits against Steve Smith Sr. could take a significant toll on his finances, as his lover's husband, Anthony Martinez, is seeking over $100,000 in damages.
- Steve Smith Sr.'s romantic entanglements have found their way into the realm of entertainment, as Martinez publicly revealed their alleged affair through revealing text messages and a recorded call.
- The European football scene and the Premier League are far removed from Steve Smith Sr.'s current predicament, but it remains to be seen if the spotlight on him due to these lawsuits could create any intriguing parallels or connections with celebrities in this world.
- Martinez's lawsuit against Smith, under North Carolina's "alienation of affection" law, underscores the complexities of interpersonal relationships, as Smith's alleged text messages to Martinez's wife have come under scrutiny.
- The legacy of Steve Smith Sr.'s towering NFL career may take a back seat in contemporary discussions, as legal matters arising from his personal life grab headlines and spark debate on the validity and implications of the "alienation of affection" law.
