Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
Lainey Wilson, known for her role on Yellowstone, started dating former NFL quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges in 2021.
Lainey Wilson recently opened up about how Devlin “Duck” Hodges popped the question.
Hodges proposed in February, and Wilson shared the news on Instagram with the caption, “4x4xU forever.” The country singer admitted she was genuinely caught off guard by the former NFL player’s proposal.
“I had kind of convinced myself it was going to happen that day,” Wilson explained in a video captured by News Channel 5 Nashville. “I even called my sister and told her, ‘He’s going to propose today.’ And she just said, ‘I gotta go.’”
Wilson then second-guessed herself. “I started talking myself out of it because I didn’t want to be disappointed if it didn’t happen,” she said.
Hodges and Wilson had arranged to visit the George Jones estate, which was listed by one of Hodges’ friends, a real estate agent. They scheduled the visit for the week following this year’s Super Bowl.
“But as we pulled up, I realized there was a different plan in motion,” Wilson said. “He had everything set—candles, framed photos—it was absolutely perfect.”
Since getting engaged, Wilson admitted they haven’t made much progress with wedding planning. “We really need to sit down and make that a priority,” she said. “But I imagine it’ll be something really simple.”
A few months before the proposal, Wilson playfully remarked that she might end up being the one to pop the question after Bunnie Xo expressed her hope that Wilson and Hodges would get engaged in 2025.
“No pressure, brother! No pressure,” Wilson joked to Bunnie during a CMT interview, where the Watermelon Moonshine singer was the guest. “I might have to be the one to propose. We’re waiting!”
Bunnie responded confidently, “No, Duck’s gonna do it. I can feel it.”
Wilson smiled and said, “I like that.”
Wilson admitted she always had a strong feeling that Hodges was the one and revealed that she actually sent him engagement ring ideas early in their relationship.
“Honestly, it started out as a joke, right when we first began dating,” she recalled in a video captured by News Channel 5 Nashville. “We both kind of just knew right away—like, ‘Yeah, we’re going to be in each other’s lives.’ It felt so natural. So, I jokingly texted him some photos of big rings, like, ‘This is what I like.’ And he replied, ‘Oh, Lord, I better start saving now.’”
After four years together, Hodges used those old messages for inspiration. “He ended up designing the ring by combining elements from the ones I sent,” Wilson said. “Honestly, I would’ve said yes to the tiniest ring—but he messed up,” she teased with a laugh.
Hodges and Wilson began their relationship in 2021 after being introduced by mutual friends. “We went to this old spot called Silverados that had free beer and wine from 5 to 10 p.m.,” Wilson told People magazine. “I thought, ‘This guy knows how to ball on a budget—this could work.’”
Before officially going public, fans started speculating about their romance when Wilson performed in Pittsburgh wearing Hodges’ Pittsburgh Steelers jersey.
“He’s one of my biggest supporters,” Wilson said during the 2024 CMT Awards in an interview with Fox News Digital. “I always say he’s the kind of guy who’ll high-five you coming in and high-five you going out.”
She added, “Especially with the kind of career I have, it’s so important to be surrounded by people like that. I’m really grateful he’s by my side.”
