Lainey Wilson is head over boots in love with boyfriend Devlin “Duck” Hodges. The previous NFL player-turned-real property agent has been a pillar of help for Wilson as she navigates her newfound stardom in nation music.
The couple started courting in 2021 however didn’t go public with their relationship till two years later when Hodges accompanied Wilson to the ACM Awards in Could 2023. Their pink carpet debut doubled as one of many night time’s most talked-about moments.
Talking to host Bobby Bones about their non-public relationship, Wilson mentioned Hodges is “a very good dude” who has “been round for some time.” She added, “However I will let you know, he’s good as gold. Helps me, would by no means are available between something that I am attempting to do.”
So, who’s Lainey Wilson’s boyfriend? Right here’s the whole lot to learn about Devlin “Duck” Hodges and his relationship with the nation music singer.
His faculty soccer coach gave him the nickname “Duck”
Hodges, who affectionately goes by “Duck,” obtained his nickname whereas taking part in soccer at Samford College in Alabama. Throughout an look on The Bobby Bones Present, Wilson shared the story of how her boyfriend’s moniker got here to be.
“His faculty soccer coach was like, ‘You are top-of-the-line quarterbacks I’ve ever labored with. And also you remind me a number of considered one of my favourite quarterbacks I set to work with years in the past, and we referred to as him Duck,’ ” Wilson mentioned. “And so he and the workforce simply form of began calling him Duck.”
Coincidently, it additionally turned out that Hodges was an avid duck hunter, too.
In Could 2024, Hodges can be inducted into Samford College’s Athletics Corridor of Fame.
“Thanks soccer, from the time I used to be 5 years previous, I’ve at all times liked you,” he wrote on Instagram following his alma mater’s announcement in December 2023.
He’s a former NFL participant
After faculty, Hodges went on to play skilled soccer for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was with the workforce for 2 years earlier than becoming a member of the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. Just like Wilson, Hodges understands the significance of a tough work ethic, which is among the many shared traits that first introduced them collectively.
“He is aware of what it’s like chasing a dream as a result of he is carried out that for himself,” Wilson mentioned on The Bobby Bones Present. “He was within the NFL. He tried out actually for the Steelers and made it and had a extremely nice run with them. Went out to LA Rams and did that.”
Hodges later signed a three-year contract with the Canadian Soccer League workforce Ottawa Redblacks as a beginning quarterback. However in April 2022, the workforce introduced his retirement from the game.
“I’d wish to thank the REDBLACKS for bringing me to Ottawa and giving me this chance. I’ve gained a number of respect for the CFL and its followers — notably RNation!” he mentioned in an announcement. “I’m excited to see what the long run holds however I do know that the subsequent chapter in my life goes to be enjoyable.”
He works in actual property
Since retiring from the game, Hodges has taken a eager curiosity in actual property. In November 2022, he joined the workforce at Mossy Oak Properties in Louisiana. An outdoorsman and hunter himself, Hodges makes a speciality of serving to shoppers discover their dream “looking camps, looking land [and] farm land,” per his profile.
He and Wilson began courting in 2021
The pair started seeing one another in 2021 after assembly by way of mutual associates in Nashville. In an unique interview with ipromiseyoumedia, Wilson recalled rolling up at a dance corridor and saloon for his or her first date that was identified for its low-cost drinks and reside music.
“We went to this previous place referred to as Silverados, and it had free beer and wine from 5 to 10 p.m.,” she mentioned. “I used to be like, ‘This boy likes to ball on a funds too. That is gonna work out.’ ”
The 2 instantly hit it off and have been collectively ever since, however shunned publicizing their romance for over two years. “I mentioned, ‘We gonna see for those who’re in it for the suitable causes,’ ” Wilson informed ipromiseyoumedia of deciding to remain mum about their relationship for therefore lengthy.
“Seems, he’s,” she continued, including, “it feels actually good to speak about it.”
He and Wilson made their pink carpet debut in 2023
The couple confirmed the standing of their romance after they walked the pink carpet of the 58th ACM Awards hand in hand. The singer-songwriter was nominated for six completely different classes that night time, 4 of which she gained.
Wilson seemed beautiful in an all-green ensemble consisting of a cape and her signature bell bottoms that she accented with chunky jewellery and a green-brimmed hat. In the meantime, Hodges stepped out in a blue go well with that he paired with a bolo tie and cream cowboy hat.
Wilson and Hodges posed for images, interlocked in each other’s embrace. A rep for Wilson confirmed to ipromiseyoumedia that the pair have been, certainly, courting.
Albeit, hypothesis about their romance sparked weeks prior when Wilson was noticed sporting Hodges’ Steelers jersey whereas performing in Pittsburgh. Eagle-eyed followers shortly notified the previous Steelers quarterback of Wilson’s outfit on social media, which he fortunately performed into.
“Did she actually?!?! Y’all are mendacity !!!! @laineywilson holla at me !!! 🏈,” he wrote on Twitter (now often known as X), replying to a fan who tweeted about Wilson’s live performance apparel.
“That is me hollerin 🤠,” Wilson wrote again, and Hodges responded, “OH.MY.GOD 👀 howdy.”
He’s very shut with Wilson’s associates
Hodges has Wilson’s associates’ stamp of approval! Talking with ipromiseyoumedia about their relationship, the “Coronary heart Like a Truck” crooner joked that Hodges has been slowly “stealing all my buddies,” together with her nation music friends like Cole Swindell and HARDY.
“Anyone mentioned how humorous it was watching him high-five all of my artist associates on the ACMs, and I mentioned, ‘These are his associates!’ ” Wilson shared, following their pink carpet debut in Could.
“He’ll FaceTime me, and he’ll be with HARDY and Morgan [Wallen] and Luke [Combs], and I’m like, ‘Cease stealing all my buddies,’ ” she continued. “They’ll at all times be out {golfing} and ingesting a beer.”
In all seriousness, nonetheless, Wilson mentioned that having Hodges and her associates get alongside so effectively is a giant blessing. “I don’t should persuade anyone to love him. He’s a really lovable individual,” she added.
He’s immensely supportive of Wilson’s profession
“Duck is the form of dude who high-fives me on the best way within the door and on the best way out and says, ‘Go get it,’ ” Wilson informed ipromiseyoumedia, whereas talking about how a lot Hodges’ help means to her. “He is aware of how vital this dream is to me.”
Wilson echoed related sentiments throughout a visitor look on Entry Hollywood. “He’s a very good man. He is aware of I’m not the form of woman that may be tamed and stored within a field,” she mentioned, noting that she “couldn’t ask for a greater associate.”
Whereas speaking to Zane Lowe for Apple Music 1 in August 2024, Wilson referred to as Hodges her “largest cheerleader.”
“He is only a good individual,” she mentioned. “And he is aware of how vital chasing down a dream is as a result of even when he was somewhat boy, soccer was his life.”
He’s Wilson’s muse
Wanting into the long run, Wilson is happy to strive her hand at writing love songs. She hinted to ipromiseyoumedia that her “wholesome relationship” with Hodges, whom she describes as “considered one of my largest cheerleaders and champions,” has change into a giant supply of inspiration for her musically.
“I used to be by no means actually capable of write love songs, as a result of I do not know if I had really felt it, however I am writing me some love songs now,” she shared. “I’m grateful for him.”
He and Wilson have attended a number of star-studded occasions collectively
Hodges was Wilson’s plus-one to the CMA Awards in November 2023. The nation star and her beau coordinated in all-black ensembles, which included cowboy hats.
Later that night, Wilson gained the award for entertainer of the yr. She kissed Hodges, who was beaming with pleasure, earlier than stepping on stage to ship her acceptance speech.
“That is all I’ve ever wished. It lastly appears like nation music is beginning to love me again,” she mentioned whereas combating again tears. Wilson briefly thanked Hodges for his help, saying, “I like you Duck.”
In April 2024, the couple stepped out for the CMT Awards in Austin, Texas, the place Wilson took dwelling the award for feminine video of the yr.