Donovan McNabb told the NFL Network on Monday that he's "a fan" of Robert Griffin III and said he was just trying to be a mentor to a younger player when he told The Washington Post that the second-year Washington Redskins quarterback has "too much" going on in his life as he continues his recovery from knee surgery. McNabb played 13 seasons in the NFL, including two seasons with the Washington Redskins, Griffin's current team.

"The whole thing about it for me is that I love to talk to the younger guys and just prepare them for what is in front of them," McNabb said in the telephone interview with the "Total Access" show. He said he hasn't spoken to Griffin about his comments.

"A lot of them are unaware and when things kind of happen, there is no one to kind of talk to them. I think from my 13 years of experience and watching football all my life, if you can give a helping hand, reach back and give these guys a little bit of guidance if you can, why not do it?"

McNabb said he could "care less" if there is a negative reaction to his public advice to last season's rookie of the year. He stands by his critique and said he "figured it could help him in many ways."

"I am a fan of his," he said. "I have watched him, I have watched the young generation that is playing now. I have been a fan and love the game of football. I think anytime anyone can just give you anything. ... Deion [Sanders] has been doing it, Michael Irvin has been doing it, so why can't I sit and talk to the guy?"

In the interview with The Washington Post, McNabb said Griffin's recent actions may start to become "a circus, a sideshow." Griffin garnered criticism for tweeting pictures with boxes of gifts bought by fans for his upcoming wedding, despite not asking for the gifts in the first place.

"It's too much right now; it's just too much," McNabb told the Washington Post from his Arizona home. "I get some of the things he's doing to draw attention to himself: the adidas commercials, going out and enjoying the life of a young, famous NFL quarterback. I understand RG has a lot of stuff going on."