Charles "Mask" Lewis Last Interview 3/10/09 R.I.P.

[SinCitysmallGUY]

This interview was conducted the day before his death. And an interesting little nugget from the Press-Enterprise that illustrates Tapout's long, difficult struggle in becoming the brand leader in MMA apparel:


In a July 2008 interview, Caldwell said the company had a hard time turning their passion for mixed martial arts into profits.

The outfit originally sold only on the Web and had reached sales of about $29,000 by 1999.

"We were basically just pouring the money back into the business to buy new inventory," Caldwell said.

[505]

I'm not a big TAP OUT clothing fan but I was always a big fan of Mask. The guys passion was inspirational and believable. He did so much for the sport. Warrior Wear, Sprawl, Hitman, Triumph, Affliction, cagefighter, etc, etc .... owe alot to this man. He was a good man you could tell it in his eyes and voice. RIP CHARLES.

[gracie bjj]

im in the process now of getting my sticker for the back of my car window that reads(r.i.p charles(mask)lewis,my sister works in a store where all they do is banners,car stickers,lettering for cars and trucks,signs ect.i already got the big red tapout sticker on the back of my trans am and im gonna put the mask sticker under the tapout sticker.if anyone ever sees a green trans am(newest body styles)cruising down the new jersey turnpike with the big red tapout sticker on the back window give me a beep and thumbs up.its still hard to believe im not gonna see mask at all the mma events with punkass and scrape,i still shed a tear from time to time man,im not ashamed to say that at all cause charles was such a nice guy who never let money go to his head and he would take time to talk with you whether you where a bum on the street corner or a ceo of a company,he will be missed but he will always be at the mma events in spirit