Cameron Steel
Lainey Wilson discovered lasting love with former NFL quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges. In May 2026, they exchanged vows in a breathtaking wedding at Ruskin Cave, Tennessee, five years after their initial meeting on a blind date.
Lainey shared her thoughts about their wedding venue, stating, “Duck and I were driving along the scenic backroads of Tennessee when we spotted a billboard for The Ruskin Cave.” She recalled Duck asking her, “‘Do you want to get married there?’ I responded, ‘Absolutely!’ We visited the location, and we instantly fell in love with the cave’s natural beauty and the property’s simplicity.”
Lainey publicly introduced Duck as her partner when they walked the red carpet together at the ACM Awards in May 2023, over two years after they began dating.
Continue reading to delve deeper into Duck’s life and his relationship with Lainey.
Who Is Devlin ‘Duck’ Hodges and What Is His Background?
Duck showcased exceptional talent as a high school athlete before taking his skills to Samford University in his home state. There, he thrived as a quarterback, earning the title of Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year three times. Lainey revealed on The Bobby Bones Show in June 2023 that his nickname, “Duck,” originated from his college football coach.
Lainey explained, “His college coach said, ‘You’re one of the best quarterbacks I’ve trained, and you remind me of another great quarterback I worked with long ago, whom we called Duck.’ From there, the team began to call him Duck.” She humorously noted that he was also an avid duck hunter.
In 2019, Duck signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, later joining the LA Rams, and making a brief stop in the Canadian Football League with the Ottawa Redblacks. On April 22, 2022, the Redblacks announced his retirement from professional football.
Duck is currently pursuing a career as a real estate agent with Messy Oak Properties, as highlighted on his LinkedIn profile. He launched a dedicated Instagram account for his real estate endeavors in February 2023, although it is no longer active.
When Did Lainey Wilson and Duck Hodges Begin Their Romance?
Lainey and Duck began their relationship over two years before making their first public appearance as a couple at the ACM Awards in May 2023. Dating rumors circulated in the weeks leading up to the event. During a performance in Pittsburgh, Lainey and her band members sported Duck’s jerseys, further fueling speculation. In April, Duck publicly expressed his support for Lainey on Twitter, celebrating her CMT Awards nomination. He enthusiastically stated, “Lainey Wilson and not even close!!”
What Insights Has Lainey Wilson Shared About Her Relationship with Duck Hodges?
Lainey first discussed her relationship with Duck on Bobby Bones‘ podcast in June 2023. She described him as “good as gold,” emphasizing his unwavering support for her ambitions. “He encourages me and never interferes with my goals. He’s always saying, ‘Go get it, girl.’ I made him wait for a while, but it’s been a little over two years now.”
In an interview with People, Lainey elaborated on why they chose to keep their relationship private for two years. She said, “I wanted to see if he was in it for the right reasons. Turns out, he is.” She added humorously that it was amusing to see him interacting with her artist friends at the ACMs, remarking, “Those are his friends!”
Lainey continued, “He’ll FaceTime me, and he’ll be hanging out with HARDY, Morgan [Wallen], and Luke [Combs]. I joke, ‘Stop stealing all my buddies!’ They’re always out golfing and enjoying beers. I don’t need to persuade anyone to like him; he’s genuinely a lovable person.”
Lainey Wilson and Duck Hodges’ Memorable Cave Wedding
Lainey and Duck celebrated their wedding in a stunning cave setting in Dickson, Tennessee. The bride wore a sophisticated gown by Oscar de la Renta, adorned with cherry blossoms along the bodice.
Reflecting on their wedding day, Lainey expressed to Vogue that they aimed to create an event that was not only beautiful but also warm and inviting for their guests.
She shared, “We didn’t want to take ourselves too seriously. Being from Louisiana, I wanted to infuse some Cajun flair, so we hired a 12-piece jazz band called Rebirth and served a Cajun meal prepared by the chefs at my bar, Bell Bottoms Up.”
Clara Hastings
