NFL Draft Postcards: Dillon Thieneman | Thursday, April 23
As told to Gabby Hajduk
New Bears defensive back Dillon Thieneman, the No. 25 overall pick, checks in from the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh to describe how he felt when he received the life-changing call from general manager Ryan Poles, his emotions walking across the draft stage and more.
What's up Bears fans,
I mean, that was incredible. I don't even know where to start. I was sitting in the green room with everyone and my phone started ringing when the Bears were on the clock. I didn't even see it, though. I had my head turned to the side, but my older brother Jake saw saw my phone and was like, "Dude, dude!"
I turned back and answered the phone and just heard "Hey, we're with the Bears, we're gonna pick you."
It was awesome.
All the emotions were kind of flooding once I got up, walked down the hall and got on stage. I dapped up Roger Goodell, got the jersey and took the picture and then looked to my left and saw my high school trainer, who has trained me since I was in seventh grade. He trained me and my brothers, and I still train with him. I knew he was coming, but I hadn't seen him yet. He was just standing right behind one of the photographers. It was so cool.
I got to meet some of the Bears fans that were here and felt the love already. They gave me this really cool Bears chain, so shoutout to them. Honestly throughout the week, people had been saying, "Go to the Bears, we really want you there." I'm like, "We'll see what happens. I don't know what's gonna happen," but I'm glad to be going to Chicago.
I can't wait to get to Chicago and start meeting my new teammates and coaches. I want them all to know they're getting a hard worker who always puts his head down. I really think it starts with earning people's respect, and that's the first thing I gotta do.
And to the Bears fans: Let's get it. The time is now.
Bear Down!
- Dillon
