Rising country star Lainey Wilson has found love and a steadfast cheerleader in her boyfriend, Devlin “Duck” Hodges. Although the two started dating in 2021, they decided to take their relationship public in 2023. Here’s a little headway on their love story, all about Hodges, and how matters have since evolved for the two.
From Private Romance to Public Debut
Lainey Wilson and Devlin “Duck” Hodges have been in a relationship since 2021, but that only has a year of the one that has just passed. They made their public debut as a couple at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2023. This was a red carpet moment that was major not just for them as a couple, but it turned into one of the major talking points for the night in country music. Wilson, who has been attempting to find her way through newfound fame in country music as a recording artist, had finally found a rock in Hodges, a former NFL player turned real estate agent.
A Love That’s Built on Shared Values
Wilson also said in a Bobby Bones Show interview that Hodges “was a good dude and he’s been around for a while.” She said that he was with her the whole time, that he had her back, and that he would “never come in between anything that I’m trying to do.” Their relationship was one of respect and understanding for one another, getting stronger as time passed.
Who Is Devlin “Duck” Hodges?
Where did his nickname originate from?
Devlin Hodges, affectionately known as “Duck,” received the name while playing college football at Samford University in Alabama. Wilson shared with us during an appearance on The Bobby Bones Show how he got his unique moniker. His coach there said he reminded him of a young, talented quarterback he had coached who was also called “Duck.” The nickname stuck and, interestingly enough, happens to be right on with revelation, as it turns out Hodges is an avid duck hunter.
This remarkable college football career has landed Hodges a spot in Samford University’s Athletics Hall of Fame in May of 2024. Looking back on his life, he said he looks at the game of football with gratitude, something he had loved since he was five years old.
From NFL to Real Estate
In fact, Hodges’ football journey began once he entered the Pittsburgh Steelers after college. He has played two years for the team before moving on to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. Like Wilson, Hodges knows what hard work and chasing dreams feel like, among the many qualities that brought them together.
After his NFL stint, Hodges inked a three-year pact with the Canadian Football League’s Ottawa Redblacks as a starting quarterback. He said his goodbyes to pro football in April 2022. Hodges respected the CFL and its fans and foreshadowed his future.
New Career – Real Estate
After retirement, Hodges ventured into the business of real estate. In November 2022, he started with Mossy Oak Properties in Louisiana, where he is known for helping clients find their ideal hunting camps, land, and farms. Being an outdoorsman and his experience in the world of real estate have both combined to make him a great human being in this new profession.
A Love Based on Mutual Respect and Understanding
Their First Date and the Decision to Stay Private
It was in 2021 when Wilson and Hodges first saw each other with the help of a mutual friend based in Nashville. Their first date was in an old dance hall and saloon with really cheap drinks and catchy live music. Wilson remembers they hit it off from the very start, and from that moment on, they’ve been inseparable.
Despite the fact they were inseparable, the couple chose not to have their relationship in the limelight for more than two years. Wilson said she wanted to ascertain that Hodges got into the relationship with the right motives. After that, she was certain with their relationship, and they decided to make it public. “It felt really good to talk about it,” says Wilson.
The relationship between the couple became official when they stepped hand in hand across the red carpet at the 58th ACM Awards in May 2023. Across the night, Wilson was up for six categories and won four of them. That they showed up in matching outfits and were really feeling each other added up to the real clincher that convinced the world they were, in all actuality, dating.
Philadelphia dating speculation had already triggered some interest before the couple went public. Rumors began spreading when the country singer was spotted borrowing the wide receiver’s Steelers jersey earlier in the summer while performing a show in Pittsburgh. The plan worked, of course, as fans quickly took notice and Hodges playfully monetized the news on social media, adding fuel to the fire.
Hodges’ Close Ties with Wilson’s Friends
Winning Over Her Friends
The man has not only captured Wilson’s heart but also the approval of Wilson’s friends. Wilson revealed in an interview that Hodges has jokingly been “stealing all my buddies”, whereby the buddies in question are country music friends such as Cole Swindell and HARDY. Friends and couples often make efforts to weave in and out of each other’s time, whether it is golf or regular hanging out.
A Supportive Partner
Wilson has often emphasized how much Hodges encourages her professional ambitions. She said he’s the guy who ‘high-fives me on the way in the door and on the way out and says, ‘Go get it. Having understood the need to pursue one’s dream, as he himself has had his dosage while playing football, made Hodges the perfect man for Wilson.
In an August 2024 interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music 1, Wilson referred to Hodges as her “biggest cheerleader” and described him as someone who, aside from being a good person, got her ambitions.
The Future of Their Relationship
A Muse for Her Music
Wilson’s “healthy relationship” with Hodges has inspired her to explore new themes with her music. She told PEOPLE in an interview that she felt like writing more love songs because of her good relationship with Hodges, which she didn’t do before. She went on to describe Hodges as one of her most fervent cheerleaders and champions, all of which have inspired her musically.
They Attend Star-Studded Events Together
Hodges has attended some of Wilson’s high-profile appearances, such as the CMA Awards in November 2023, together, when the couple wore matching color schemes of black. Wilson went on at the event to accept the Entertainer of the Year award, and prior to accepting her own accolades, she stopped to share a sweet kiss with a beaming Hodges.
In April 2024, the couple was spotted again in public during the CMT Awards in Austin, Texas. The female sweetheart bagged the award for Female Video of the Year, further affirming her as the future star of country music. And, of course, there was Hodges always present, wishing her glory.
Conclusion
For Lainey Wilson and Devlin “Duck” Hodges, the real example of love, support, and respect toward each other was in their relationship. Their journey from a quiet romance to one on full display was really memorable; they shared all the success every step of the way. Wilson will be lighting up the country music scene with her talents, all while Hodges continues to be her biggest fan.
