Police allege the teenager was raped in the early hours of Thursday at the Holidome Hotel in Montebello after being prostituted to Taylor against her will.

They said the former New York Giants linebacker had arranged to pay for sex with the girl, believed to be a runaway, through another man named Rasheed Davis.

Davis, who had been living with the girl for a few weeks, had beaten her up and driven her to the hotel where he demanded she have sex with Taylor, police said.

When the teenager refused, Davis allegedly handed her over to Taylor anyway.

The 51-year-old NRL great then allegedly raped her, before paying her a sum of US$300 ($338).

Taylor was arrested by police and charged with third-degree rape and patronising a prostitute.

Davis, convicted of manslaughter in 1994 and paroled two years ago, was charged with unlawful imprisonment, assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

Taylor, an All-American at North Carolina, played from 1981-1993 for the New York Giants and was named to the NFL's Hall of Fame in 1999.

His intensity and aggressiveness on the field was credited with helping transform the outside linebacker position.

Taylor, 51, was named the National Football League's Most Valuable Player in 1986 and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1981, 1982 and 1986. He had 132 career sacks and helped the Giants to Super Bowl triumphs in 1987 and 1991.

Off the gridiron, Taylor gained notoriety for drug addiction and personal problems. His autobiography was called "LT: Over the Edge."

Last year he competed without much success in the eighth season of Dancing with the Stars.