Eric Winston is one of the good guys. He's always been one of the good guys and as NFLPA president, it's been common knowledge around the league for a good period of time.

Per all of the trouble the National Anthem topic has caused for the league and its players, Winston, a current free agent, believes he knows what'll help things move forward: solutions coming from “both sides” as stated by the president on Sirius XM NFL Radio via Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.

“Players are hoping to get together and come together with ownership and find a solution,” Winston said. “I think that’s what’s best for the game. I think when we’ve done that, when we’ve had solutions that have come from both sides, that’s been good.”

Winston, 34, remains a free agent, open to sign with whomever he chooses. His main job as of late, however, is that as the president of the player's union.

Drafted in the third round back in 2006, Winston enjoyed six solid seasons in Houston with the Texans as the organization's starting right tackle. After two more starting seasons in Kansas City and Arizona, one season apiece, respectively, he's been employed by the Cincinnati Bengals as a backup offensive lineman for the last four seasons.

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The NFLPA filed a grievance Tuesday challenging the new national anthem policy brought down by the NFL earlier this year. The union claims it “is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on player rights.”

Whether or not it gains traction is yet to be seen. One thing's for sure, however, and that's the idea that Eric Winston—despite star status on the field—remains one of the most respected players in the NFL.