Steve Sanders: father of four, trial attorney, Sunday school teacher, Joe America. And total Joust madman.

The Kansas City Star has a great day-brightening article up about Sanders and his recent appearance trying to blaze his way into the Guinness Book of World Records with a first place Joust score after a twenty year retirement. Originally a world class Donkey Kong player, Steve retired from the world of competitive gaming when his unique talent drove him away from his family and caused him to drop out of school. For the next twenty years, Sanders didn't play games, and wouldn't let his sons play them either. But he was haunted; eventually, even his family, his job and his god couldn't stand in the way of the demons he knew he had to face.

It reads like the plot of an arcade-themed spaghetti western: a retired gamer, haunted by his past, picks up the joystick one last time to stand up for the game he loves. Nice job, Steve! Stick around in the Dark Side this time around, won't you?

20 years removed from battle, knight defends honor in Joust [Kansas City Star]