In a handful of U.S. states, infidelity in a marriage can be a very serious matter and could result in financial loss.
But that doesn’t stop Steve Smith Sr. from cracking a joke. The former Carolina Panthers legend made light of pending litigation he is involved in, accused of a monthslong affair with the member of the Baltimore Ravens marching band.
The two-time All-Pro receiver was working color commentary on Aug. 21 for the Panthers preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers when a promotion for Bojangles, the fried chicken fast-food restaurant, appeared.
The advertisement said fans could get a free chicken sandwich if they scanned a QR code on their screen, when Smith’s colleagues turned to him for his thoughts.
“Man, ya’ll know my situation,” he said with a laugh. “I can’t afford to be helping anybody right now!”
Smith’s colleagues needed a few moments to collect themselves from laughter before resuming calling the game.
Steve Smith Sr. had Affair with Ravens employee, Husband Alleges
Smith was sued in April by Antonio Martinez, the husband of Ravens marching band member Nicole Martinez. Antonio Martinez accuses Smith of torching his marriage.
Martinez is suing Smith under North Carolina’s “alienation of affection” statute — more commonly known as the “homewrecker law.” The law allows for a jilted spouse to go after someone they believe wrecked their relationship.
As of 2025, five other states have homewrecker laws, including Hawaii, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Dakota and Utah.
According to a 30-page lawsuit, Antonio Martinez alleges that during and after a visit to Baltimore for his NFL Network show The NFL’s Most Interesting Jobs with Steve Smith, the Panthers’ all-time leader in receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yards, began a romantic and sexually explicit relationship with his wife.
The lawsuit, filed in Mecklenburg County, claims that Smith and Nicole Martinez initially met during filming, exchanged contact info, and then kept in touch for several months. It escalated, according to court documents, into a full-blown affair complete with graphic text exchanges and at least one reported hotel meetup while Smith was in town for a Ravens playoff game.
Then in February, Martinez publicly posted screenshots of the messages, including a censored nude photo allegedly of Smith, to social media. The posts went viral. According to the lawsuit, Martinez also called Smith directly, at which point Smith repeatedly apologized.
GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – MAY 30: Steve Smith Sr. coaches during OTA Offseason Workouts at NY Giants Quest Diagnostics Training Center on May 30, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Husband is Suing Steve Smith Sr. for Over $100,000
Antonio Martinez is seeking over $100,000 in damages, claiming intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotion distress, and punitive damages — on top of attorney’s fees.
To succeed in court, Antonio Martinez will need to prove that real “love and affection” existed in the marriage before the alleged interference and that Smith’s involvement directly led to the breakdown.
Known for his fiery demeanor on the field, Smith, a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame after 13 seasons with the Panthers and three years with the Ravens, has not publicly commented on the lawsuit, aside from the quip while broadcasting.
According to court filings, Smith’s motion to dismiss the case was denied by a North Carolina judge in July.
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