Sam Claphan

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Sam "Sammy" Jack Claphan (born October 10, 1956 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, United States) attended high school at Stilwell High School in Stilwell, Oklahoma. He played his way to All-American status in 1974.[1] He was recruited by Head Coach Barry Switzer to play at the University of Oklahoma.

[edit] Career

Sam played on the 1974 and 1975 National Championship teams. He was the starting lineman for the Oklahoma Sooners from 1975-1978. He was the largest team member at 6' 7" and 295lbs. He was drafted in the second round of the 1979 NFL Draft (number 47 overall) by the Cleveland Browns. He played with the Browns from 1979-1981 when he was traded to the San Diego Chargers.

Claphan played longer in the NFL than any other University of Oklahoma lineman.[2] Sam was a starting offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers, protecting the blind side of Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts. He was with the Chargers from 1981-1987 when he retired. Claphan, a Cherokee, was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.[3]

[edit] External link

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.stilwellindians.org/footballindex.html
  2. ^ Stilwell Oklahoma
  3. ^ American Indian Hall of Fame


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