Country music star Lainey Wilson is married to Devlin “Duck” Hodges, a former NFL quarterback who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers before moving into business. The couple tied the knot on May 10, 2026, in a romantic ceremony at Ruskin Cave in Dickson, Tennessee. Their wedding came more than a year after they announced their engagement and nearly five years after they first started dating.
Wilson and Hodges met through mutual friends in Nashville in 2021. They kept their romance private for almost two years before appearing together at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2023. Since then, Hodges has become a familiar presence at Wilson’s major career events, supporting her through award wins, performances, and important personal milestones. Their relationship has attracted attention because both understand the challenges of building careers in competitive industries.
Who Is Lainey Wilson’s Husband Devlin Hodges?
Lainey Wilson’s husband, Devlin Patrick Hodges, is a former American football quarterback and entrepreneur.
He was born on April 12, 1996, in Kimberly, Alabama, and developed an interest in football at a young age.
Hodges played college football at Samford University, where he established himself as an accomplished quarterback.
His impressive college performances eventually helped him earn an opportunity in the NFL.
He joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 and became known for his unexpected rise from an undrafted player to a starting quarterback.
Although his professional football career was relatively short, Hodges gained recognition for his determination and competitive personality.
After leaving football, he explored business opportunities, including real estate and outdoor lifestyle products.
He is also known for his interest in hunting, fishing, golf, and spending time outdoors.
His marriage to Wilson has introduced him to a wider audience beyond football fans.
However, Hodges had already built his own professional identity before becoming associated with the country singer.
How Did Lainey Wilson and Devlin Hodges Meet?
Lainey Wilson and Devlin Hodges began dating in 2021 after being introduced through mutual friends in Nashville.
Their first date took place at Silverados, a dance hall and saloon known for live music and affordable drinks.
Wilson later recalled being amused by the venue because it offered complimentary beer and wine during certain evening hours.
She appreciated that Hodges was comfortable choosing a simple, inexpensive place for their first meeting.
The experience helped them connect without the pressure of an extravagant date.
Both were working toward professional goals at the time.
Wilson was continuing to establish herself in country music, while Hodges was approaching the end of his football career.
Their shared understanding of ambition and hard work became an important part of their relationship.
Wilson has explained that Hodges understood what it meant to pursue a difficult dream because he had experienced something similar through football.
Their connection developed naturally, but they initially decided not to make their romance public.
Why Did Lainey Wilson Keep Her Relationship Private?
Lainey Wilson and Devlin Hodges dated privately for approximately two years.
Although Wilson was becoming increasingly popular in country music, she wanted to make sure their relationship was genuine before sharing it with the public.
The singer had previously spoken about being focused on her career and not always making romantic relationships a priority.
She wanted time to understand whether Hodges was interested in her as a person rather than her growing fame.
Their private dating period allowed them to build a connection without constant media attention.
Wilson eventually became comfortable discussing their romance after realizing that Hodges was committed to the relationship.
She later explained that being with him had changed the way she approached writing love songs.
For an artist known for emotional storytelling, the relationship became a new source of inspiration.
Her songs increasingly reflected personal experiences involving love, trust, and companionship.
Their decision to keep things quiet at the beginning also meant that many fans were surprised when they finally appeared together publicly.
When Did Lainey Wilson and Duck Hodges Go Public?
Lainey Wilson and Devlin Hodges confirmed their relationship publicly at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2023.
The couple walked the red carpet together, marking their first major public appearance as romantic partners.
Wilson wore a green outfit featuring her signature bell-bottom style, while Hodges appeared in a blue suit with a cowboy hat.
Their appearance attracted considerable attention from fans and entertainment photographers.
Interestingly, speculation about their relationship had already started a few weeks earlier.
During a performance in Pittsburgh, Wilson wore a Steelers jersey associated with Hodges.
Fans noticed the jersey and began discussing the possible connection on social media.
Hodges responded playfully to the attention, and Wilson joined the conversation.
Their public exchange encouraged further speculation before their official red carpet debut.
After the ACM Awards, Wilson began speaking more openly about Hodges and his role in her life.
She described him as supportive, hardworking, and someone who understood the demands of her career.
Devlin Hodges’ NFL Career With the Pittsburgh Steelers
Before marrying Lainey Wilson, Devlin Hodges was best known for his football career.
He played college football at Samford University in Alabama.
During his time there, he became one of the school’s most successful quarterbacks and set several passing records.
His college performances earned him the Walter Payton Award in 2018, an honor recognizing the outstanding offensive player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.
Despite his achievements, Hodges was not selected in the 2019 NFL Draft.
He later signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent.
His opportunity expanded during the 2019 season when injuries affected the team’s quarterback position.
Hodges eventually started several games and gained attention for his unexpected NFL breakthrough.
He later joined the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 but did not establish a long-term role with the team.
Afterward, he played for the Ottawa Redblacks in the Canadian Football League.
Hodges announced his retirement from professional football in April 2022.
Although his NFL career did not last many seasons, his journey from undrafted college quarterback to NFL starter remained a notable achievement.
Why Is Devlin Hodges Called Duck?
Devlin Hodges has been known by the nickname “Duck” since his football-playing years.
The name became associated with him during his time at Samford University.
Wilson previously explained that one of his college coaches compared him to a quarterback he had coached years earlier who carried the same nickname.
The comparison eventually led teammates and coaches to start calling Hodges Duck.
The nickname remained with him throughout his professional football career.
It also became part of his public identity after he began dating Wilson.
The singer has frequently referred to him as Duck in interviews and social media posts.
During one interview, Wilson shared a funny story about their first date.
She joked that her friends called her “Goose,” creating a playful connection with his nickname.
According to Wilson, the claim was not true, but Hodges believed her at the time.
The story has since become one of the couple’s most memorable early dating anecdotes.
What Does Devlin Hodges Do After Retiring From Football?
Following his retirement from professional football, Devlin Hodges began exploring business opportunities.
One of his early interests was real estate.
He worked with Mossy Oak Properties in Louisiana before joining Myers Cobb Realtors in April 2024.
His real estate work reflected an interest in land, property, and outdoor living.
However, his current involvement in the industry has not been consistently documented.
Hodges has also developed an outdoor lifestyle business called Club Country.
The brand combines interests in golf, hunting, and outdoor recreation.
Its products are designed for people who enjoy spending time both on golf courses and in natural environments.
The business reflects Hodges’ personal interests, particularly hunting and outdoor activities.
He has also shared hunting-related content through his YouTube channel.
His transition into entrepreneurship has allowed him to remain professionally active while supporting Wilson’s music career.
Although he no longer plays professional football, his competitive background continues to influence his business interests.
When Did Lainey Wilson and Devlin Hodges Get Engaged?
Lainey Wilson and Devlin Hodges announced their engagement in February 2025.
The couple shared photographs from the proposal on Instagram, confirming that they were preparing to get married.
Their announcement included a reference to Wilson’s song 4x4xU, which had become closely associated with their relationship.
The engagement attracted congratulations from fans and fellow country music performers.
Wilson later joked that she had been waiting for Hodges to propose.
She explained that she already believed they would eventually marry but had started wondering whether she might need to ask him herself.
The proposal marked another important milestone after several years together.
Although the couple were excited about their engagement, Wilson initially indicated that they were not rushing into wedding preparations.
She also spoke about wanting to find the perfect wedding dress.
For someone who had spent much of her life dreaming about music performances rather than weddings, the experience represented an unexpected personal chapter.
Inside Lainey Wilson and Duck Hodges’ Tennessee Wedding
Lainey Wilson and Devlin Hodges married on May 10, 2026, at Ruskin Cave in Dickson, Tennessee.
The venue offered a natural setting featuring rock formations, greenery, and a waterfall.
Their choice reflected the couple’s appreciation for the outdoors and simple surroundings.
Wilson later explained that they discovered the location while driving through Tennessee.
After seeing a billboard advertising the property, Hodges suggested that they consider getting married there.
The couple visited the venue and were immediately impressed by its natural beauty.
Their wedding incorporated a romantic countryside atmosphere, including a horse-drawn carriage arrival.
The ceremony marked the conclusion of their engagement and the beginning of married life.
Rather than choosing a traditional luxury hotel or large entertainment venue, they selected a location that reflected their personalities.
The wedding attracted considerable attention because Wilson had become one of country music’s biggest stars.
However, the setting remained closely connected to the couple’s shared interests.
How Devlin Hodges Supports Lainey Wilson’s Music Career
Devlin Hodges has regularly supported Lainey Wilson at important entertainment events.
He attended the 2023 CMA Awards, where Wilson received the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award.
Before accepting the honor, Wilson shared a kiss with Hodges.
She also thanked him during her acceptance speech, publicly acknowledging his support.
The couple have attended other country music events together, including subsequent CMA and ACM ceremonies.
Hodges has also developed friendships with several country music performers.
Wilson has joked that he sometimes spends time golfing with her musician friends, including HARDY and other Nashville artists.
Their shared social circle has helped Hodges become comfortable around the country music industry.
Wilson has frequently described their relationship as a partnership.
She appreciates that Hodges understands professional pressure and the sacrifices involved in pursuing a demanding career.
His support has remained important as her popularity has grown.
Are Lainey Wilson and Devlin Hodges Planning to Have Children?
Lainey Wilson has spoken about how her personal goals have changed since meeting Devlin Hodges.
Earlier in her career, she was primarily focused on becoming a successful country music artist.
She has explained that she spent more time imagining major performances than thinking about marriage or motherhood.
However, her relationship with Hodges introduced new possibilities into her life.
In interviews, Wilson has discussed becoming more open to the idea of having children.
She has also spoken about fertility planning, including considerations surrounding egg freezing.
These conversations reflect her interest in balancing a demanding entertainment career with potential future family plans.
However, Wilson and Hodges have not publicly announced that they are expecting a child.
Any decisions about parenthood remain personal matters for the couple.
For now, they are adjusting to married life while continuing their respective professional interests.
Lainey Wilson and Devlin Hodges’ Life as a Married Couple
Lainey Wilson and Devlin Hodges have built a relationship around shared values, humor, and an understanding of demanding careers.
Their romance began with a simple Nashville date in 2021 and developed privately before their public debut in 2023.
After announcing their engagement in February 2025, they married in Tennessee in May 2026.
Hodges has continued pursuing business interests following his football retirement, while Wilson remains active in country music.
Their relationship has become an important part of Wilson’s personal story, particularly as she has grown more comfortable discussing love and family.
For fans searching for Lainey Wilson’s husband, Devlin “Duck” Hodges is much more than a former NFL quarterback.
He is an entrepreneur, outdoor enthusiast, and longtime partner who has supported the singer through some of the biggest moments of her career.