| Anthony |
03-12-2009 06:56 AM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by diomed
(Post 15617705)
you sir,
are a fucking idiot.
Guy did more for people, and in turn their families; in one year than you will contribute your entire life. His actions were his reputation and the foundation of both his character and success, not his mind.
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rip mask.
Quote:
from: Cre send private message add comment to profile
posted: 10 hours ago
member since: 1/23/06
posts: 37640
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i never knew him, but i see what he has done for the sport all around me and i am really thankful, tapout contributed to the growth and quality of mma big time with their hard earned dollars, they matched up with the fighters and promoters from the dawn of the sport and took it to the next level with hard work, quality character and perserverance. Allowing tons of fighters to train full time who otherwise would never have had that chance to really focus entirely on becoming the athletes we see today.
Tapout pushed the sport forward by actually cutting checks that didn't bounce, giving out the dollars to sponsor fighters so they could train full time, pay their rent, get food and supplements, supplying gear, even sometimes just being the difference between having to work 40 hours a week and 15 that is huge for a guy who otherwise has no choice but to work full time. All of this for lots of guys who really didn't or may not necessarily even effect the overall for the company enough to justify what they receive still tapout knows the role they play is critical, if anything they have essentially taken losses to sponsor guys out of the love for the sport. They have been willing to offer their hand to afford so many the chance to pursue their dreams in mma, in eras of flaky companies and people who made/make promises they can't live up to, tapout has always been a real professional company when it comes to business.
What tapout has done we the fans and fighters have benefitted from tremendous and what they will continue to do is admirable, to leave a legacy like charles did is something remarkable, special and truly unique, it will live on and he won't be forgotten. We should all be so lucky to make such an impact on the world in a positive way doing something we love.
Rip
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Quote:
from: Calgary mma agents send private message add comment to profile
posted: 9 hours ago
member since: 7/28/08
posts: 17
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i felt the need to express a few words tonight after the sudden passing of a good friend of mine, charles "mask" lewis. I first met charles in huntington beach back in the early 90's. He used to spray paint tapout on t-shirts in his garage and after it caught on...would sell them out of the back of his ride at all the big mma shows in town. Funny enough...but when promoters told him he wasn't allowed to sell his merchandise inside the shows...charles would sell twice as many to all the hardcore and drunken fans alike on the way out.
He truly invented guerilla marketing.
He truly invented brand marketing.
Even when i moved away from home, charles would keep in touch almost on a daily basis through his inspirational text messages that he would send. One of my favorite quotes that he sent me was:
"i've failed at a lot of things in my life....but i've also failed to quit".
I still keep all of his text messages on my phone.
He brought a single logo t-shirt company to a multi-million dollar empire and never forgot the "boys back home". I think he gave away just as much free product as he did sell it. He was just like that. Always giving, always had a great smile on his face and always willing to help out a friend in need.
At first glance, people were taken aback by his "alter-ego" of mask. With the warpaint on and crazy clothes. But i assure you...he came what he was determined to do. Pull you in and make you a fan. Not only was he good at business...but he was also a very accomplished grappler. If i remember correctly...he worked his way up to a brown belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu.
I hope everyone has had the fortune of seeing his reality show "tapout" that has been running over the last few years. That was merely a glimpse of his good nature, personality and goodwill towards others and especially those in the mma community.
Not only have we lost a pioneer...but unfortunately...i've also lost an amazing friend.
Rest in peace charles...as i'm sure you're already throwing those tapout stickers on the pearly gates of heaven.
Jake
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Quote:
from: Fightymcfighterface send private message add comment to profile
posted: 18 hours ago
edited: 03/11/09 3:54 pm
member since: 7/31/08
posts: 126
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i feel like the mma community is so connected in a lot of ways because of how new the sport is and a lot of guys on this forum as well as others have been around for so long when the sport was in it's dark ages that everyone knows eachother...
In no other sport are the promoters, owners, ceo's, presidents, fighters, media, etc. Intertwined in such a way with their fans.
I think mask is the epitome of a true mma hardcore. He dedicated his life to this sport before it was fashionable.
For that i salute him for all that he did for the only sport that i care about.
It may be a good day to wear that tapout shirt and not give a shit if someone thinks your a "newb." i'm going to be wearing mine.
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Quote:
from: Mohammed send private message add comment to profile
posted: 18 hours ago
member since: 1/5/09
posts: 687
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"life is full of influences, it's your application that sets you apart.
That's something i wrote to myself and completely believe in. You can't be scared to set out to do something in life because you believe it may be similar to something, or because you don't know the clear cut path on how you're going to accomplish your goal or dream! Just take a step towards your belief daily - fearlessly, wholeheartedly, digging and dreaming within yourself, believing that as you push on through sacrifice, you will one day stand alone on top of a hill that you created that now encourages and inspires others to chase their dream. Knowing that through tenacity and patience anything can be achieved.
If you simply believe"
^^^ written by mask.
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Quote:
from: Ryan loco send private message add comment to profile
posted: 18 hours ago
triumph united, lord hype man esq.
Member since: 4/1/07
posts: 3074
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"it is a sad day in mma, charles lewis aka "mask" has left us. I met charles years back at a grappling tournament and he has always been a true and inspirational person. In recent dealings with him and tapout, i really got to know the true man behind the mask. Creative, clever and always on a mission, charles led the juggernaut of an mma company that i, along with all of our competitors strive to become. You will be missed and always respected."
-hans molenkamp
president
triumph*united
being able to say i knew "mask" as charles lewis is something that makes me feel honored. I remember speaking with him and he told me, "dog, i'm not talking to you as "mask" right now, i'm talking to you as charles." he dropped some real knowledge, and discussed his drive and his passion. That stayed with me. I feel blessed to call him a friend. He took his vision, created an empire, and paved the way for the brands you see today. He was a true pioneer. The mma world, along with all of his family and friends, will miss him greatly.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has been touched by this tragedy.
-ryan
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