[ConservativeStatement]

One thing that makes me cringe about sports in when ESPN or reporters call select athletes by their first names: LeBron, Danica, Carmelo, Manny, Pedro etc... To me it is unprofessional. Same here. Notice Martin is called by his first name and Zimmerman by his last name? It is another way to make Martin seem innocent and Zimmerman the bully.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Good observation.

[FrdmLvr]

To me, Trayvon just makes him sound ghetto.

[Cyber Liberty]

Notice Martin is called by his first name and Zimmerman by his last name?

This has been remarked upon many times on FR. That's the Stylebook (A very real thing reporters use). First names are used for minors, last names for adults over 18. As for the sports figures, I agree with you and I really dislike the practice. It's because they're weird names like "Lebron" or "Danica." You don't see the convention used when the name is "Fred."