Lainey Wilson and Duck Hodges: From Secret Romance to Super Bowl Sweethearts
While Lainey Wilson's songs often explore themes of sorrow, her personal life is graced by an enduring romance with Devlin “Duck” Hodges.
Although the country artist publicly debuted Hodges at the 2023 ACM Awards, their relationship had privately commenced two years earlier. Wilson corroborated this timeline in June 2023, hinting that she nearly exposed their secret in April when she subtly acknowledged Hodges during a performance.
“Funnily enough, just a few weeks before the [awards] ceremony, my band and I performed in Pittsburgh, and we all donned Duck Hodges jerseys,” Wilson recounted on The Bobby Bones Show. “That incident sparked some initial speculation.”
Prior to his retirement in 2022, Hodges served as a quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and several other NFL franchises. His moniker, “Duck,” originated during his collegiate football career and bears no relation to his pastime of duck hunting.
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“Honestly, he is truly exceptional,” Wilson praised Hodges in June 2023. “He's incredibly supportive and would never impede any of my aspirations. His attitude is always, 'Go achieve it, girl.' And I certainly kept him waiting for a bit. I mean ... it's been just over two years now.”
The pair marked a significant milestone in February 2025 when Wilson shared news of their engagement. Continue below to trace the timeline of Wilson and Hodges’ relationship:
2021
The couple commenced their relationship sometime in 2021, a detail Wilson later verified two years subsequent.
July 2021
Wilson's initial interaction on Hodges' Instagram occurred after he uploaded an image of himself perched on a rural fence. “I’m your huckleberry,” Hodges wrote alongside the picture, leading Wilson to respond, “What's making you so indecisive?”
April 2023
Wilson ignited rumors of a romance with Hodges when she sported his Steelers jersey during her Pittsburgh concert. “Is Lainey Wilson sporting a @DevlinHodges10 jersey at the show tonight? He's going to be ecstatic when he discovers this,” a fan posted on X. Hodges noticed the tweet and replied, “She actually did that?!?! You're all kidding !!!! @laineywilson reach out to me !!!”
The artist also replied to the post, stating, “Consider this my shout-out.” Hodges countered, “OH.MY.GOODNESS, greetings.” The former NFL athlete subsequently shared images from the Pittsburgh performance, confirming his personal attendance.
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Earlier in the month, Hodges subtly alluded to their connection by posting a picture from what seemed to be Wilson's Stagecoach Festival show in California. He was dressed in a Wilson T-shirt, a yellow bandana, a camouflage jacket, and a cowboy hat. Hodges expressed profound gratitude for “the bonds and experiences” as he commemorated his birthday on Instagram.
May 2023
Merely weeks following their playful exchange on X, the couple officially appeared together on the red carpet at the 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards.
June 2023
“He's been a part of my life for quite some time,” Wilson remarked about Hodges during a segment on The Bobby Bones Show. “I simply chose to make him wait for two and a half years.” She informed host Bobby Bones that the former athlete is a “stand-up guy.”
Wilson disclosed that Hodges also shares a strong bond with her close friends. “It's truly wonderful. I mean, he's good friends with all my friends,” she divulged. “He'll frequently video call me while he's with Hardy or Cole Swindell and the entire group. I often joke, 'Could you please stop stealing my friends?'”
November 2023
Hodges accompanied Wilson and her family to the 2023 Country Music Association Awards held in Nashville. Following Wilson's triumph with five awards, notably Entertainer of the Year, her then-partner publicly extolled her virtues on social media.
“She's already heard what I'm about to say, but I just want everyone else to hear it too. This woman is the most diligent individual I know,” Hodges posted on Instagram, accompanying it with pictures of the couple in an intimate embrace at the awards ceremony. “Her commitment to her craft and her ambition to be her best self are truly inspiring. I am overjoyed that all her tireless efforts continue to be rewarded. Congratulations on all the accolades last night, and particularly on the most significant honor of the evening! ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR!”
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He continued: “I'm so pleased that she can be a beloved artist for many of you, singing your preferred tunes. Or serve as a cherished role model for your daughters. I am simply grateful to consider her my closest friend. Love you, LW.”
January 2024
Wilson offered viewers a glimpse into her touring life in a segment of CMT's “On the Road.” Early in the episode, Hodges appeared on screen and shared a kiss with Wilson before her performance in Las Vegas. This particular episode was captured in December 2023.
October 2024
Wilson provided her followers a tender peek into her private romance by dedicating her track “4x4xU” to Hodges.
“There's no other place I'd prefer to be #4x4xu @devlinhodges,” Wilson wrote alongside a video reel featuring herself and Hodges in a vehicle, with the country song playing during their picturesque journey.
February 2025
Wilson publicly shared news of the couple's engagement on Instagram, displaying her diamond ring. “4x4xU indefinitely,” she penned in the accompanying text.
October 2025
During an interview with Southern Living, Wilson disclosed that she fabricated a detail to Hodges on their initial date — a strategy that proved successful. “I informed him that some people refer to me as Goose,” she recounted, alluding to her fiancé’s personal moniker. “I wasn't being truthful, but he believed it. I suspect his reaction was something like, 'Oh, I'm smitten.'”
She further mentioned Hodges' remarkable culinary skills, stating, “He hails from Alabama, so he's adept at preparing delicious meals.”
