EL SEGUNDO — Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams told the team he planned to retire rather than continue his standout NFL career after eight seasons, a club spokesman confirmed while the opening day of training camp was underway Thursday morning. Williams spent seven of his eight years in the NFL with the Chargers.

Mike Williams retires from the NFL, closing the book on a Chargers career defined by acrobatic catches, clutch plays, and relentless effort.

Mike Williams is hanging his cleats up for good. The Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver informed the team of his plans to retire from the NFL on Wednesday night, a person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon.