Samuel Jack Claphan was born on October 10, 1956 in Tahlequah.

Claphan was a consensus All-State selection as a senior at Stilwell and became Stilwell's first ever All-American in 1973 when he was chosen by Parade Magazine. He went on to play at the University of Oklahoma, winning national championships in 1974 and 1975 and earning second-team All-Big 8 in 1978.

He was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 47th overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft, but a preseason injury kept him from making the roster. A year later, he was signed by the San Diego Chargers and was responsible for protecting the blind side of Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts.

Claphan played for seven seasons in San Diego, starting 46 games at tackle and guard before retiring after the 1987 season. With him on the offensive line, Fouts was a four-time passing yards leader and two time passing touchdowns leader.

Following his retirement, he taught special education at Moore and Midwest City schools and returned to Stilwell to teach middle school and coach.

A member of the Cherokee Nation, Claphan was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.

Sadly, he passed away from a heart attack in 2001 at the age of 45. He was laid to rest at Doublehead Cemetery near Stilwell.