Sheppard "Shep" Homans Jr. (September 24, 1871 – March 30, 1952) was an All-American football player and insurance executive.
His father was the founder and president of the Provident Savings Life Assurance Company.
He played fullback for Princeton's varsity football team, taking the place of Knowlton "Snake" Ames—who was considered one of the greatest running backs in the early days of the game.
[4]Homans proved to be a capable replacement for Ames, serving as Princeton's fullback from 1890 to 1892.
As an example he had four times as much fun as the modern breed have, if they happen to like action, and he kept in better physical shape for some 60 years.
[4]After graduating from Princeton, Homans played semi-professional football for the Tenakill Outing Club.
An article from The Philadelphia Inquirer in 1893 noted that Homans' punts and long runs were the features of a 12-0 victory over the Crescent Athletic Club.
In September 1920, a bomb was set off on Wall Street by "American anarchist fighters" who, prior to the bombing, sent a postcard to Homans that read, "Dear Shep: Keep away from Wall Street this Wednesday afternoon.