Lainey Wilson and Devlin “Duck” Hodges made their first public appearance at the 2023 ACM Awards in May.
Lainey Wilson is head over heels in love with boyfriend Devlin “Duck” Hodges. The former NFL player turned realtor has been a pillar of support for Wilson as she navigates her newfound country music stardom.
The couple began dating in 2021, but didn’t go public with their relationship until two years later when Hodges accompanied Wilson to the ACM Awards in May 2023. Their red carpet debut became one of the most talked about moments of the night.
Speaking to host Bobby Bones about their private relationship, Wilson said Hodges is a “good guy” who has “been around for a while.”
“But I’ll tell you, he’s as good as gold,” she added. “He supports me, he would never stand in the way of anything I’m trying to do.”
So who is Lainey Wilson’s boyfriend? Here’s everything you need to know about Devlin “Duck” Hodges and his relationship with the country singer.
His college football coach nicknamed him “Duck”
Former NFL star Devlin Hodges is playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019.
Bobby Ellis/Getty
Hodges, affectionately known as “Duck,” earned the nickname while playing football at Samford University in Alabama. During the performance at The Bobby Bones ShowWilson shared the story of how her boyfriend’s nickname came about.
“His college football coach said, ‘You’re one of the best running backs I’ve ever worked with. And you remind me a lot of one of my favorite running backs I used to work with years ago, and we called him Duck,'” , Wilson said. “And so he and the team just started calling him Duck.”
It just so happens that Hodges is also an avid duck hunter.
In May 2024, Hodges will be inducted into the Samford University Athletic Hall of Fame.
“Thank you football, since I was 5 years old, I’ve always loved you,” he wrote on Instagram after announcing his alma mater in December 2023.
He is a former NFL player
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Devlin Hodges warms up before his first career NFL start with the 2019 Pittsburgh Steelers.
Katharine Lotze/Getty
After college, Hodges went on to play professional football for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was with the team for two years before joining the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. Similar to Wilson, Hodges understands the importance of a hard work ethic, one of the many commonalities that first brought them together.
“He knows what it’s like to chase a dream because he did it for himself,” said Wilson on The Bobby Bones Show. “He was in the NFL. He literally tried out for the Steelers and made it and had a really great run with them. He went to the LA Rams and did it.”
Hodges later signed a three-year contract with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League as the starting quarterback. But in April 2022, the team announced his retirement from the sport.
βI would like to thank the REDBLACKS for bringing me to Ottawa and giving me this opportunity. I’ve gained a lot of respect for the CFL and its fans β especially RNation!” he said in a statement. “I’m excited to see what the future holds, but I know the next chapter in my life will be a fun one.”
He deals in real estate
Since retiring from sports, Hodges has taken a keen interest in real estate. In November 2022, he joined the Mossy Oak Properties team in Louisiana. An outdoorsman and hunter himself, Hodges specializes in helping clients find their βdream hunting camps, hunting ground [and] agricultural landβ, according to his profile.
He and Wilson started dating in 2021
The couple began dating in 2021 after meeting through mutual friends in Nashville. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Wilson recalled coming to the ballroom and lounge for their first date, which was known for cheap drinks and live music.
βWe went to this old place called Silverados that had free beer and wine from 5 to 10 p.m.,β she said. βI thought, ‘And this guy likes to play on a budget. This will work.’ ”
The two immediately reconciled and have been together ever since, but refrained from publicizing their romance for more than two years. βI said, ‘We’ll see if you’re in it for the right reasons,’β ββWilson told PEOPLE after choosing to keep quiet about their relationship for so long.
“It turns out it is,” she continued, adding, “it feels really good to talk about it.”
They made their debut on the red carpet in 2023
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Former professional athlete Devlin Hodges and country singer Lainey Wilson attend the 58th ACM Awards together in May 2023.
SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty
The couple confirmed the status of their romance when they walked the red carpet of the 58th ACM Awards hand in hand. The singer-songwriter was nominated that night in six different categories, four of which she won.
Wilson looked stunning in an all-green ensemble consisting of a cape and her signature bell-bottoms, which she accessorised with chunky jewelery and a green-brimmed hat. Meanwhile, Hodges stepped out in a blue suit which he paired with a bolo tie and cream cowboy hat.
Wilson and Hodges posed for photos, hugging each other. Wilson’s rep confirmed to PEOPLE that the couple is indeed in a relationship.
However, speculation about their romance was sparked weeks before when Wilson was spotted wearing Hodges’ Steelers jersey while performing in Pittsburgh. Eagle-eyed fans were quick to inform the former Steelers quarterback of Wilson’s outfit on social media, which he was happy to sport.
“Really?!?! Y’all lying !!!! @laineywilson come on !!! π,” he wrote on Twitter (now known as X), responding to a fan who tweeted about Wilson’s concert outfit.
“This is me shouting π€ ”, Wilson he repliedand Hodges replied“OH.MY.GOD π hi.”
He is very close to Wilson’s friends
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Devlin Hodges and Lainey Wilson at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards.
Christopher Polk/Penske Media/Getty
Hodges has the seal of Wilson’s friends! Speaking to PEOPLE about their relationship, the “Heart Like a Truck” singer joked that Hodges is slowly “stealing all my friends,” including her country music pals Cole Swindell and HARDY.
“Someone said how funny it was to watch him high-five all my artist friends at the ACMs, and I said, ‘Those are his friends!’ ,β shared Wilson after their red carpet debut in May.
“He’s going to visit me on FaceTime and he’s going to be with HARDY and Morgan [Wallen] and Luke [Combs]and I’m like, ‘Stop stealing from all my friends,'” she continued. “They’ll always be out playing golf and drinking beer.”
In all seriousness, though, Wilson said it’s a blessing that Hodges and her friends get along so well. “I don’t have to convince anyone that I like him. He is a very nice person,” she added.
He is immensely supportive of Wilson’s career
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Left: Devlin Hodges sits on the fence. Right: Lainey Wilson performs on stage at the 2023 Billboard Women In Music.
Devlin Hodges Instagram; Rich Polk/Billboard/Getty
“Duck’s the kind of guy who high-fives me on the way in and out and says, ‘Go get it,'” Wilson told PEOPLE, talking about how much Hodges’ support means to her. “He knows how important this dream is to me. ”
Wilson echoed similar sentiments during a guest appearance on Access to Hollywood. βHe’s a good guy. He knows that I’m not the type of girl who can be tamed and kept in a box,” she said, noting that she “couldn’t have asked for a better partner.”
He is Wilson’s muse
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Left: Devlin Hodges. Right: Lainey Wilson performs onstage at the 2022 57th ACM Awards.
Devlin Hodges Instagram; Rich Fury/Getty
Looking to the future, Wilson is excited to try her hand at writing love songs. She hinted to PEOPLE that her “healthy relationship” with Hodges, whom she describes as “one of my biggest cheerleaders and champions,” has become a huge source of musical inspiration for her.
“I’ve never been able to write love songs, because I don’t know if I’ve really felt it, but now I’m writing some love songs,” she shared. “I’m grateful for him.”
He and Wilson attended the 2023 CMA Awards together
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Leah Puttkammer/FilmMagic
Hodges was Wilson’s sidekick at the CMA Awards in November 2023. The country star and her friend wore all-black ensembles, including cowboy hats.
Later that night, Wilson won Entertainer of the Year. She blew a kiss to Hodges, who was beaming with pride, before stepping onto the stage to give her acceptance speech.
“This is everything I’ve ever wanted. I finally feel like country music loves me back,” she said as she fought back tears. Wilson briefly thanked Hodges for his support, saying, “I love you Duck.”
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Source: HIS Education