Southeast Missouri State University football legend Kenny Dement never misses an opportunity to tell people what working out has meant to his life.

"I know what exercise can mean to your health," he says emphatically. "A lifetime of working out saved my life 14 years ago when fast living, rich food and long hours of working almost killed me with a stroke.

"Now, moderation, healthy food and working out help me enjoy life to the fullest. I still don't need much sleep and that's okay. I have plenty of things I like to do. Three times every week I go to the gym for a one-hour workout with weights and the machines. I go to my office every day."

Adds Dement, "I go to nearly all of the football games by son Jerry (Cape Central High School football coach Jerry Dement) coaches. I never miss a home game that the SEMO Indians play. They let me park my car at the end of the field so I can get around in my wheel chair and I can sit wherever I please. I know how to appreciate life more now and I enjoy every minute of it."

Sikeston attorney Kenneth L. Dement -- or "Kenny," as friends fondly call him -- is a remarkable example of what a man can accomplish when he combines a tenacious personality with a zest for life.

From an early age, Dement has been intent on developing and maintaining his physical fitness.

"I never smoked and I've always worked out to be strong!" he declares.

At age 14, he filled two cans with cement and made a set of makeshift weights. Dement and a friend faithfully lifted the weights in the back yard of the Dement home in Sikeston, developing muscles, strength and a penchant for fitness that would carry him far on the football field and throughout his life.

Dement's football career began at Sikeston High School under coach Kenneth Knox, who became football coach at Southeast prior to Dement's sophomore season.

"Coach Knox was a great influence on me," says Dement. "I give a lot of credit to Knox and football for the success I've had."

This past August, Dement was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., because of his tremendous football career at Southeast from 1951-54 along with his exceptional citizenship.

Dement's skill on the football field was so distinguished that he was the first Southeast player to be drafted by a National Football League team. Drafted in 1955 by the New York Giants, he passed up the opportunity to play in the NFL and joined the United States Marine Corps, where he eventually rose to the rank of captain.

Asked why he passed up such a prized opportunity, Dement's answer comes with the striking impact typical of the former two-way Southeast tackle.

"I wanted to fight for my country!" he says. "That was important."

Shortly after being discharged from the Marines in 1957, he enrolled in the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.

With a growing family, it was up to Dement to provide for his family and pay college expenses, as well as making time for classes and study.

Never questioning his responsibility for the family he loved and his desire to earn a law degree, Dement worked full-time as an insurance claims adjuster while maintaining his status as a full-time student. Sometimes fulfilling both of these roles required a 90-hour week.

When asked how he did it, he replies, "I really don't know. I just knew I had to do it, so I did. I only slept an hour or two at night. It was hard, but I did it. Football taught me to go hard and stick with it. And I always worked out three times a week at the YMCA while I was in law school. Always."

Dement, who was president of his class during his final year in law school, graduated from law school in 1961, ranking 11th in a class of 48.

After graduation, Dement began his law practice in Sikeston, his home town. And he continued with the zeal that had become his lifestyle, often working 18-hour days at his law practice and "always" working out three days per week in his home gym.

This work ethic led to extraordinary success as an attorney as he won landmark cases such as Griggs vs. Firestone, when he was featured on the television show `60 Minutes' after winning a $1,136,800.000 settlement.

Dement also devoted considerable attention to community service. He, a brother and four of his children all graduated from Southeast. When Dement was asked to serve on the Board of Regents at his alma mater, he considered this his greatest opportunity to contribute something to the school that was -- and still is -- so dear to his heart.

Dement considers his tenure as President of the Southeast Board of Regents from 1971-81 as the most important service he has ever rendered.

Recalls Dement, "I thought I could do it all -- the hard work, the fun and always the workout. Sleep didn't matter so long as I did everything else."

When Dement suffered a serious stroke in 1984, doctors offered a dismal prognosis regarding his chance for survival. Years later, a surgeon told him that all the working out probably saved his life.

As soon as possible following his stroke, Dement began working out. He recalls that, after many hours of rehab and further treatment, a neurologist told him that he would never be able to talk again, as is the case with many stroke victims.

What that doctor did not know, he soon learned.

Nobody tells Kenny Dement what he cannot do.

Part of Dement's scornful retort was, "I'll show you! I'm football! And I'll do it.!'

Dement continued his rehab and his progress far exceeded the expectations of the doctors who first treated him for the stroke in 1984.

With the spirit and gusto that he has applied throughout his life, Dement eventually did regain limited speech. He is very emphatic and has further sharpened the communication skills he developed as a lawyer. He generally makes his point very clear when he speaks.

Dement continues to work out three times per week, pumping iron for an hour.

To Dement, there was never any question that he would bounce back when others thought he might not.

And he gives much of the credit to the sport he so dearly loves -- football -- along with his devotion to working out.

Asked how he managed to keep working and fighting during his lengthy recovery, he says, "Football! I knew I could do it."

Asked if he got terribly discouraged during the years when he couldn't talk, he says, "No! I knew I'd talk again. I'm football!"