Dillon Thieneman and the Bears had someone stealing their thunder.
Yes, the Bears picking a safety in the first round for the first time in 36 years was a shock to the league when the No. 25 pick was announced.
However, Thieneman’s younger sister, Kiera, stole the spotlight when the family was interviewed by ABC in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
Stunning in a long red dress next to her father as he was being interviewed, the pretty blonde appeared to struggle to contain her excitement over the huge moment for her brother.
The member of Kappa Kappa Gamma at Purdue captured the attention of many fans, leading to a viral moment on draft night. Dillon, the Oregon product, likely hopes to gain just as much favor over Bears fans upon arriving in Chicago to kick off his rookie season.
On Friday, Kiera shared her mom Shannon’s Instagram Story, which showed them on a flight to Chicago.
After winning the NFC North during head coach Ben Johnson’s first season, Thieneman will be joining an eager group that’s trying to build off their breakthrough season.
The safety played at Purdue for two years before transferring in 2025 to Oregon, where he had a stellar season. The 6-foot, 201-pound defensive back logged 95 tackles and two interceptions while earning his All-Big Ten first-team honors.
The Ducks finished with a 13-2 record and made it all the way to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
The last time the Bears drafted a safety in the first round came in 1990 when they selected Mark Carrier with the No. 6 pick out of USC.
Thieneman is also the first defensive player selected by Chicago in the first round since linebacker Roquan Smith in 2018.
