What to Know About Lainey Wilson's Fiancé and the Relationship They Kept Secret for over Two Years – Their Story

From their low-key beginnings to the moment they finally went public, here's a closer look at the relationship Lainey Wilson and her fiancé kept hidden and the love story that led to their engagement.

Lainey Wilson has become one of the biggest names in country music, captivating fans with her signature bell-bottom country style and heartfelt storytelling.

But for more than two years, she kept one of the most personal aspects of her life under wraps — her relationship with former NFL quarterback Devlin "Duck" Hodges.

That changed in 2023 when the couple debuted on the red carpet at an awards show. And now, just in time for Valentine's Day 2025, the couple has taken the next step in their relationship — Wilson and Hodges are officially engaged.

Born in Baskin, Louisiana, Wilson developed a love for country music at a young age, drawing inspiration from legends like Buck Owens and Glen Campbell. However, her journey to stardom was anything but easy.

After moving to Nashville in 2011, the singer faced years of struggles, including seven rejections from "American Idol." Despite the setbacks, Wilson persevered, and in 2020, she broke through with her hit single "Things a Man Oughta Know," which topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

She continued to climb the ranks with hits like "Heart Like a Truck" and her collaboration with Cole Swindell, "Never Say Never." In 2022, she expanded her career into acting, joining the cast of "Yellowstone" as Abby.

While Wilson was making waves in country music, Hodges was carving his own path in the sports world. Originally from Alabama, he played college football at Samford University before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 2019, he became the team's starting quarterback, filling in for an injured Ben Roethlisberger. He spent the following season as a backup before moving on to the Los Angeles Rams.

In 2022, he announced his retirement from professional football after a stint with the Ottawa Redblacks in the Canadian Football League.

"I'd like to thank the REDBLACKS for bringing me to Ottawa and giving me this opportunity. I have gained a lot of respect for the CFL and its fans — particularly RNation! I'm excited to see what the future holds but I know that the next chapter in my life is going to be fun," he shared.

Since leaving the sport, Hodges has transitioned into real estate, working as a realtor for Myers Cobb Realtors. He is also an avid outdoorsman and frequently shares his passion for hunting on social media.

Wilson and Hodges met in 2021 through mutual friends in Nashville. Their first outing was to a local spot and won Wilson over instantly.

"We went to this old place called Silverados, and it had free beer and wine from 5 to 10 p.m.," she recalled. "I was like, 'This boy likes to ball on a budget too. This is gonna work out.'"

Despite their growing relationship, the couple chose to keep their romance private. Wilson, who has always been intentional about what she shares with the public, felt it was important to nurture their relationship without outside scrutiny.

"When it comes to mine and Duck's relationship, there's going to be some things that we can't escape and people are going to say and do whatever," the singer shared.

"But me and him are on the same page about the less we put out there, the less that we're going to have to deal with people making anything up and saying anything. We want to keep that as sacred as we possibly can between me and him, and so far, it has worked for us," she added.

Hints of their romance surfaced in early 2023 when fans spotted Wilson wearing Hodges' Steelers jersey during a performance in Pittsburgh. The couple officially went public in May 2023 at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards, where they walked the red carpet hand in hand.

Wilson was nominated in six categories that night and took home four awards. She looked stunning in a green ensemble with a cape and her signature bell bottoms.

Hodges complemented her look with a blue suit, a bolo tie, and a cowboy hat. The couple posed for photos, embracing each other, and a representative for Wilson later confirmed their relationship.

Reflecting on their journey, Wilson joked about how well Hodges fits into her world. "Somebody said how funny it was watching him high-five all of my artist friends at the ACMs, and I said, 'Those are his friends!'" she said.

"He'll FaceTime me, and he'll be with HARDY and Morgan [Wallen] and Luke [Combs], and I'm like, 'Stop stealing all my buddies.' They'll always be out golfing and drinking a beer. I don't have to convince anybody to like him. He's a very lovable person," the singer added.

After years of keeping their relationship private, Wilson is now embracing the joy of sharing it with the world, revealing that "it feels really good to talk about it."

She also voiced her appreciation for Hodges' unwavering support over the years. "Duck is the kind of dude who high-fives me on the way in the door and on the way out and says, 'Go get it,'" she said. "He knows how important this dream is to me."

Wilson has always drawn inspiration from her life experiences when writing music, and her relationship with Hodges has profoundly impacted her songwriting.

As she worked on her upcoming album, the country star revealed that one of her sources of inspiration was her "healthy relationship" with Hodges, whom she called "one of my biggest cheerleaders and champions."

She added, "I was never really able to write love songs, because I don't know if I had actually felt it, but I'm writing me some love songs now. I'm grateful for him."

"He is hot," one social media user commented on a post of the couple. Another shared, "Cuties ❤️" while a third typed, "Girl keep that man!!! ❤❤." A fourth person remarked, "Ok best couple everrrr❤️" while another added, "🔥🔥🔥Two incredible people! Love the two of you and your awesome relationship ❤️❤️."

On February 13, 2025, Lainey Wilson and Hodges announced their engagement. The couple shared the happy news on Instagram, captioning a heartfelt post, "4x4xU forever ❤️."

Speaking to host Bobby Bones about their private relationship on "The Bobby Bones Show," Wilson shared that Hodges is "a good dude" who has "been around for a while."

"But I'll tell you, he is good as gold. Supports me, would never come in between anything that I'm trying to do," the singer shared.

Wilson and Hodges remain committed to keeping certain aspects of their relationship private despite stepping into the public eye as a couple. Drawing inspiration from country legend Dolly Parton, Wilson believes in maintaining some level of mystery.

As Wilson and Hodges embark on this new chapter together, fans eagerly await what's next for the couple — both in music and life. One thing is certain — their love story is as genuine and heartfelt as Wilson's songs, and they are just getting started.