Ricky Williams -- Manziel Should Take Time Off ... It Worked for Me

Ricky Williams has some advice for fellow Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel -- consider stepping away from the NFL for a little bit ... it could save his career.

Williams famously went to Canada and played with the Toronto Argonauts in 2006 after violating the NFL's drug policy for the 4th time ... and now, Ricky says the move was one of the best things he ever did.

"When I went to go play in Canada, it got my mind straight, I found my love for football again, I came back and I had another 5 years to my career."

Bottom line -- Ricky says Johnny needs to think outside the box for ways to get his life back in order and "follow your heart."