Feb. 2, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA: Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III walks the red carpet prior to the Super Bowl XLVII NFL Honors award show at Mahalia Jackson Theater. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Griffin III is currently experiencing a meteoric rise in stardom. He has the number one selling jersey in the NFL. He has over 900,000 followers on Twitter. He showed up looking dapper at the Kentucky Derby. The man is a transcendent cultural icon…and a pretty decent quarterback as well. For these reasons, I am starting a new weekly column on Mondays in which I track the every movement of RG3 during his highly publicized off-season. Whether he is rehabbing his knee or stretching it out on the red carpet, you will find it here.

The Week of May 6th

Griffin Counsels Cowboys WR: NFL.com’s Kevin Patra details Griffin offering advice to his former Baylor teammate Terrance Williams who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys last month. Griffin’s advice: “Be happy with your capabilities and show what you can do.” Williams will be auditioning for the third wide receiver slot on the Cowboys depth chart. If he finds a starting role, we can credit Griffin’s sagacity. While some people may question RG3′s decision to offer professional advice to a rival, I think it exemplifies Griffin’s character as a teammate. Plus, like the old adage says, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

RG3 fights cancer, knee pain: On Wednesday, Griffin attended a luncheon hosted by the American Cancer Society which honored Tanya Snyder, Dan’s wife, as the “Mother of the Year.” He raised $33,000 in charitable contributions by posing for eighteen photographs with fans (at $1,000 a pop) and auctioning off a pair of cleats for $15,000. Of infinitely more importance, his knee continues to heal nicely. The Washington Times’ Rich Campbell reported that Griffin answered only one question about his knee: “The knee feels fine. It’s just about taking it slow. Each day is a better day because the knee feels better, you do more things. It’s just a process, and I’m going through it.” Does anyone have $15K I could borrow? It’ll go to a good cause…

RG3 is finally getting married: Jackie Griffin, RG3′s mother, discussed her son’s upcoming wedding with Fox DC’s Shawn Yancy. Washington’s version of the “royal wedding” will take place this summer between Griffin and his longtime fiancee, Rebecca Liddicoat. More interestingly, Sarah Kogod of The Washington Post found a gift registry for the couple. The Bed Bath & Beyond registry confirms that the wedding will take place on July 6th. Kudos to our American hero and his impending Fourth of July nuptials. Now to find the couple a present that is more intimate than a lemon zester, but that won’t break the bank. I’m so bad at picking out presents.

And speaking of Griffin’s mom…

RG3 Tweet of the Week:

Happy Mother’s Day to the most influential mom in my life, Jackie Griffin. I love you and you will always be “mommy” to me

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 12, 2013

September 11, 2011; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder stands on the field prior to the Redskins game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Take THAT lame stream, PC apologists!!! Dan Snyder, the most beloved owner in the history of professional sports, has come out in support of the brand that is currently worth $1.6 billion! What guts! What nobility!

In an interview with USA Today‘s Erik Brady, Snyder quashed any rumors that the Redskins name would be changing under his watch:

“We will never change the name of the team. As a lifelong Redskins fan, and I think that the Redskins fans understand the great tradition and what it’s all about and what it means, so we feel pretty fortunate to be just working on next season.”

When pushed about the possibility that he could lose a trademark lawsuit, Snyder added:

“We’ll never change the name. It’s that simple. NEVER — you can use caps.”

Perhaps I should not be using Twitter and Facebook as a metric for anything, but I am honestly surprised by the fervent support of Snyder’s comments. Not because I think most Redskins fans agree with my position, but because…what exactly did you expect Dan Snyder to say? It is in his best interest to stay with the status quo. When Snyder speaks in vague terms like “what it’s all about” and “what it means”, it’s clear he has no intention of engaging in an actual conversation about the issue. Snyder is simply engaging in shameless grandstanding in order to gain headlines and put an inconvenient controversy to rest.

It has been said that Snyder’s opinion is the only one that really matters on this issue. This is not entirely accurate. A number of events could force the owner to back away from his caps-filled language. The licensing lawsuit currently in front of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board could take away Snyder’s ability to exclusively market the team’s name. This is a major financial consideration, regardless of what Snyder says now. Millions of dollars are at stake. The NFL could also force Snyder to change the name of the team. Roger Goodell has expressed ambivalence thus far toward the issue, but could take a stand if he feels the negative publicity is hurting the league. While Snyder may want to keep the name forever, circumstances may force his hand in the future. He’s certainly changed his mind before.

Fans of the Redskins name, enjoy a pyrrhic victory tonight. At the end of the day, you will have to reconcile the feeling of being in agreement with Dan Snyder. My conscious is clear.

July 26, 2012; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo (98) signs autographs while walking off the field after the first day of Redskins 2012 training camp at Redskins Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

For once, Washington Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo is feeling pressure instead of causing it. A year ago, the former Texas standout seemed guaranteed to receive a long-term mega contract from the team that drafted him in 2009. Now, entering the final year of his rookie contract, the Redskins front office is reluctant to sign such a deal due to injury concerns. Orakpo originally injured his shoulder and pectoral muscle in the final game of the 2011 season. After off-season surgery, he suffered a setback during the 2012 preseason and tore a different muscle in the same pectoral during the second game of the year. After recording 28.5 sacks in his first three seasons, Orakpo was limited to one in 2012.

Orakpo claims he is back to “100-percent” and will participate in the team’s OTAs later this month, though it is not known to what extent. In an interview with CSN Washington in April, Orakpo spoke confidently about his return: “I’m not really an injury type of guy. Sitting out was very uncommon for myself. But I have some huge goals for myself this year, some huge goals for this team.  I’m ready to wreak havoc.” More recently, Orakpo told The Washington Times‘ Rich Campbell that he would like to remain “a Redskin for life.”

However, the Redskins front office would like to see him prove his worth on the field before issuing another contract. The team has not officially discussed a contract extension with the linebacker, and there is no time table to do so. The Redskins have no incentive to sign him at the moment; Orakpo’s asking price is likely to be high and the team has the ability to use the franchise tag if a deal cannot be reached. Still, the team also has to consider the price tag the linebacker would receive on the open market if he is able to return to form this season.

With the “wait-and-see” policy in place, the pressure is firmly on Orakpo to produce. His 2013 season is worth millions of dollars. The injury that ended his 2012 season may have been a “freak accident,” but these are commonplace in the NFL and have ruined many aspiring careers. Orakpo’s health will continue to be one of the most compelling story lines of the off-season in Washington.