Former Bucs player says he won't talk about teen accused in rape

TAMPA -- Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Steve White isn't going to discuss the rape allegations against his daughter's half-brother, according to a statement issued Friday by his attorney.

A story published earlier this week detailed White's connection with Kendrick Morris, the 16-year-old teen accused in two rapes, including an attack on an 18-year-old high school senior outside the Bloomingdale Regional Library.

Morris' mother, Lisa Stevens, has a daughter with the former professional football player. In court records, Morris referred to White as his "step father." Morris also told a child protective investigator that Stevens and White whipped him with a belt. White was never criminally charged.

"The allegations regarding any abuse of Kendrick were thoroughly investigated in 2007 and the conclusion of that matter speaks for itself, as no criminal charges were brought against Mr. White," according to the statement.

In the statement, attorney Candace Harriman said White and Stevens were never married. White, Stevens and Morris have not lived together since 2000, according to the statement.

"Given his daughter's relationship with her brother, Kendrick Morris, Mr. White believes any further comment would be inappropriate and shall make no additional statements," it read.

-- Abbie VanSickle, Times staff writer