ALLEN OFFERING AID TO CENTER FOR RAPE VICTIMS.

Byline: Doug Tucker Associated Press 

Marcus Allen is taking his influence far beyond football.

By lending his support to a rape-crisis center, Kansas City's record-breaking running back might actually stop assaults before they happen, counselors believe, because he is so widely admired among men.

``He is unique as a role model,'' said Palle Rilinger, executive director of Kansas City's Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA). ``We need heroes. And Marcus is certainly a hero to men.''

Allen, a friend of O.J. Simpson's, testified in a closed-door deposition last May that he refused to take the stand at Simpson's murder trial because Simpson wanted him to say things that weren't true.

The testimony was given in the wrongful death lawsuit filed against Simpson by the families of murder victims Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Simpson was acquitted in criminal court of the 1994 murders.

Under oath, Allen also ``totally refuted and denied'' Simpson's claims that his friend had had an affair with Simpson's slain ex-wife, lawyers said.

The charismatic 15-year veteran, who set an NFL career record with 112 rushing touchdowns during the Chiefs' Thanksgiving Day victory over Detroit, announced this week that all money raised from sales of a commemorative T-shirt will go to MOCSA.

``This is an opportunity to bring some awareness to an organization that does a wonderful job,'' he said at a news conference.

The shirt is a reproduction of the front page of the sports section of last Sunday's Kansas City Star, which featured Allen's career and record-breaking day in Detroit.

``This T-shirt will be the only item I will sign for the rest of the year,'' said the future Hall of Famer, the only man in NFL history to rush for more than 10,000 yards and catch passes for more than 5,000. ``I believe in this cause very much.''

At a news conference Tuesday, Allen became emotional as he read a letter to MOCSA from a 14-year-old rape victim.

``Before I was raped, I was very positive,'' the girl said. ``After the rape, I had the reputation of being dirty and being a liar. My whole world crumbled. . . . I was totally humiliated and terrified by the experience . . .

``I've made so much progress since my first visit to MOCSA,'' the letter continued. ``I used to be scared and feel guilty. But now I am confident, and am getting on with my life. . . . MOCSA has really helped me.''

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Photo: Marcus Allen has stipulated that earnings from a souvenir T-shirt go to assist a rape-crisis center.

Daily News File Photo