Stone Gardens: Stillwell standout went on to a stellar career at Oklahoma and San Diego as an offensive lineman

Sammy Jack “Saligug” Claphan, born October 10, 1956, in Tahlequah grew up in Stilwell, a small town rich with Cherokee heritage.

His parents, Harry Vernon “Jack” Claphan (1920–1999) and Carolyn C. Doublehead Claphan (1927–2021), raised him alongside siblings Harry Vernon “JR,” Brenda, Wanda, and Larry in a tight-knit family.

Named “Saligug” to honor his Cherokee roots, Sammy was shaped by the values of community that defined his hometown.

At 6-foot-7 and 295 pounds, Sammy stood out early. At Zion School, he caught the attention of Stilwell High School football coach Joe White.

By his senior year in 1974, Sammy was a standout for the Stilwell Indians, earning All-American honors two years in a row.

He also excelled in basketball, named NOAA Conference Player of the Year and holding the school’s scoring record until his brother Larry surpassed it.

In Stilwell, where most students were Native American, Sammy became a local hero. His #70 football jersey was retired in the 1980s, a rare honor for the town known as the “Strawberry Capital of the World.”

In 1975, University of Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer recruited Sammy. Playing tackle, offensive tackle, and defensive tackle for the Sooners, he helped win national championships in 1974 and 1975, protecting stars like Billy Sims.

Off the field, Sammy earned a special education degree in 1979, driven by a desire to help others, a value rooted in his Cherokee upbringing

The NFL noticed his talent. Drafted in the second round (47th overall) by the Cleveland Browns in 1979, Sammy faced a setback with a preseason injury.

n 1981, he joined the San Diego Chargers, becoming the starting left tackle for quarterback Dan Fouts.

From 1981 to 1987, he started 87 games, allowing few sacks and helping the team reach the 1981 AFC Championship. His seven-year NFL career was the longest of any OU lineman, a record that stands today.

As one of only two full-blood Cherokees to reach NFL stardom, Sammy, nicknamed “Chief,” inspired Native youth at conferences, like one in Wyoming, encouraging them to overcome challenges.

In 1994, he was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame in Albuquerque, with his #77 Chargers jersey displayed in Stilwell.

After retiring in 1988, Sammy taught special education in Moore and Midwest City before returning to Stilwell Middle School. There, he coached the Stilwell Indians’ offensive line, nearly winning a district title in his first season as head coach in 1998.

He also taught students with disabilities, helping them see their potential.

Sammy married Linda Gail Hunter Claphan (1955–2021), and they raised daughter Amber Rene and son Erik Samuel in Stilwell.

On November 26, 2001, Sammy died of a heart attack at 45 in Siloam Springs. His funeral at Stilwell Middle School drew hundreds, with attendees wearing OU and Chargers gear.

He was buried in Doublehead Cemetery near Stilwell, named for his grandparents Sam and Adeline Doublehead, his resting place marked by a simple stone.