Andre Tippett and John Hannah, two of the greatest football players of all time, visited The Rhode Island Family Shelter yesterday to support their charitable endeavors.

The two, widely considered the greatest Patriots ever until Tom Brady entered the picture, paid tribute to John Ferguson, one of five runner-ups for the 2009 Charitable MVP award granted each year by the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation.

Pats Cheerleaders and Pat’s mascot Pat Patriot also joined Tippett and Hannah. The Cheerleaders did face painting for the children and Pat Patriot offered high fives and thumbs up for everyone in attendance.

While the kids seemed more interested in having their faces painted by the cheerleaders, those old enough to remember Tippett and Hannah relished the opportunity to talk to the stars.

From the early seventies to the mid eighties, Hannah was the most feared offensive lineman in the NFL. Pass rushers spent more time on the ground than chasing the Pats quarterback during Hannah’s dominant career.

In the same respects, opposing quarterbacks hated seeing Tippett lined up across the field. They knew that Monday morning would bring plenty of aches and pains thanks to Tippett’s fierce and fearless play.

Both Tippett and Hannah were members of the 1985 AFC Championship team, which went to the Superbowl.

But yesterday wasn’t about the two Hall of Famers. Ferguson was the man of the hour. Janis Lavallee Fisher, the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Family Shelter, said she was extremely proud of Ferguson, a Cranston resident who has volunteered at the shelter for more than 12 years.

“Ferguson has done just about every volunteer job there is for us and he excels at all of them. What’s best about him is how much he cares. He never stops thinking about us,” said Fisher.

Ferguson, she said, has served as a spokesperson, provided direct services for the needy, managed and organized fundraisers, and is a board member at the shelter. In every job, she said, he has been successful.

Ferguson is also credited with organizing the Rhode Island Family Shelter’s annual Christmas celebration, which provides shelter children with a meal, desserts, and Christmas gifts they’ve requested. Their parents receive gift certificates and, most popular, a framed picture of their children.

“Ferguson never allows an opportunity to pass that may provide assistance to homeless families,” said Fisher.

“There is no task or responsibility too large or too small for him.”

About a month ago, Ferguson and Fisher went to Foxboro Stadium for a dinner with the Kraft family, owners of the patriots and the rest of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. At the awards ceremony, Ferguson was given an award and the shelter was given a $3,500 grant.

“I got to meet Tom Brady,” said Fisher.

“I couldn’t believe it. I was as giddy as a little school girl,” Fisher said.

Tippett, now the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation’s executive director, said he and Hannah are in the process of visiting all of the five runner-ups, all of which hail from a different New England states.

“As a follow up to our award ceremony we like to go into the communities where our finalists are to show them how much we support their work and thank them for what they do,” said Tippett.

“The Kraft family believes in the work that these non-profits do and has made a strong commitment to helping them.”

Ferguson seemed honored and humbled by the award and the visit.

“I like to come here at least once or twice a week to help out,” said Ferguson.

He made sure he said something nice about he people he loves to help.

“When you come in here during the day, there is nobody sitting around watching television or doing nothing. They’re out there trying to better themselves and we’re there to help them reach their potential,” said Ferguson.