Duck Hodges Returns to the Spotlight with Marriage

After taking a break from football for four years, Devlin “Duck” Hodges is back in the news, this time for his recent marriage.

He tied the knot with Lainey Wilson, a star of ‘Yellowstone’ and a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, on May 10th in a picturesque setting at Ruskin Cavern Falls in Dixon, Tennessee.

“I could hear water dripping, birds chirping, and a nice spring breeze,” Wilson shared with Vogue, capturing the serene atmosphere of their wedding.

The couple’s journey began when they were set up on a blind date in Nashville, and their wedding marked five years together. It all started with a lakeside dinner at Moby Dick’s, followed by a visit to the honky-tonk bar Silverado’s. It’s, well, a cute story if you think about it.

“From then on, we became very inseparable,” Wilson, who is 33, reflected in her interview.

Hodges proposed in February 2025 on the doorstep of George Jones’ mansion, a nod to the couple’s love for the country music legend. With rose petals and photos of their journey, he made sure the moment was memorable for both of them. “It meant a lot to me to do it on George’s doorstep,” Wilson said.

Looking sharp, Hodges wore a custom suit complete with a bolo tie, cowboy boots, and a hat. The wedding embraced a rustic charm, though Wilson aimed to sprinkle in some of her roots as well.

“We didn’t want to take ourselves too seriously. Being from Louisiana, we infused a bit of Cajun vibe by hiring a 12-piece jazz band called Rebirth and serving up Cajun cuisine prepared by my bar’s chefs,” Wilson noted. She also donned a stunning Oscar de la Renta dress adorned with Japanese cherry blossoms, stepping away from her usual denim bell-bottom looks.

For Hodges, this marriage signifies another chapter in his life post-NFL. He earned the nickname “Duck” for his unique ability to call ducks and initially signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2019 after making a name for himself at Sanford. His college career was impressive, breaking records previously held by NFL MVP Steve McNair.

Following injuries to key players, Hodges had his chance to play, appearing in eight games during his rookie year, with his stats reflecting a mix of triumphs and challenges.

Though he faced setbacks, including being released by the Steelers and a short stint with the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks, Hodges officially hung up his cleats in April 2022.

Since then, he’s carved a new path as a real estate agent and entrepreneur, even starting a golf brand aimed at outdoors enthusiasts. Now, he’s enjoying married life.

“I’ve never seen Duck smile as big as he did that day,” Wilson said, reflecting on her wedding day. “We felt dizzy turning the page on this new chapter together. We both couldn’t wait to say, ‘I’m getting married!’”