NFL Players Association president Eric Winston said in an interview with a Cincinnati television station that he and other NFL players shouldn’t care if a potential work stoppage in 2021 might have long-term consequences on the league.

“Honestly I don't care and I don't think the guys in this locker room care whether it is going to be around in 20 years because none of us are going to be playing. So if (the owners) want to own for a long time, then they can own for a long time. But another work stoppage might kill the golden goose,” Winston, an offensive tackle for the Bengals, told WCPO.

Winston clarified his comments with a statement on his Twitter account, writing that a potential work stoppage, like a lockout, would be a sign from owners that they are unconcerned about the NFL’s future.

“Players have always chosen to be good stewards of the game because we are the game, but quite simply, if the owners choose to lock us out again as they did in 2011, or if they continue to deny the health and safety risks for football, then they have signaled that they are not worried about the game in 20-30 years. I love the game of football, but every player knows this is business,” Winston wrote.

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Winston’s comments and follow-up statement are just the latest signs of discord between the league and the NFLPA, and an indication that negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement could turn nasty. The current CBA expires after the 2020 season, and both Winston and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith have in recent days predicted a work stoppage.

The owners locked out players during the 2011 offseason, but the two sides reached agreement on a new CBA in July before the stoppage extended into the regular season.

Winston said the NFLPA is already starting to prepare players for another lockout, and what that would mean to their immediate careers, not what effect a lockout would have down the road.

“I'm not going to be around that long. I don't care if even if there are rookies in here — they're not going to be playing that long,” Winston told WCPO. "So if this thing dies out in 20 years, it dies out in 20 years. That's not really my concern, and I don't think it's any of these players' concern in here either."

Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones.

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