Johnny DuRocher just got done meeting with the media, and from the tone of his answers, you'd never know that he's about to undergo surgery for a brain tumor next week.

The UW quarterback cracked enough one-liners to make one wonder if he shouldn't be giving Michael Richards a few comedic tips.

"I'm thinking about writing that guy a thank-you note,'' DuRocher said with a smile, referring of the Stanford defender whose hit gave DuRocher a concussion in a game Nov. 11. The hit came when DuRocher was trying to make a tackle following an interception.

It was during the examinations for that concussion that doctors discovered a brain tumor.

DuRocher confirmed most of what was reported Monday -- the tumor is most likely benign, he will probably have surgery Nov. 30, and his football career is almost certainly over.

"They'll want me staying away from any blow to the head,'' he said.

DuRocher said the tumor is located in the cerebellum which he said is also fortunate. And while it's benign, if it had not been caught, in a few years it could have created some problems.

He said he will be in the hospital for three to five days following the surgery. From there, he said the recovery process is "pretty much how I feel.''

DuRocher said doctors have told him he could actually be in better condition to play sports than before. Specifically, he said he was told his eyesight and balance could be improved.

"I've never been able to see really good, so maybe that will help,'' DuRocher said.

DuRocher said, however, that he had not been having any symptoms.

He will have the surgery at Harborview Medical Center and it will be performed by Dr. Richard Ellenbogen.

DuRocher said again he plans to turn out for the UW baseball team and be available for the first day of practice, which will be sometime around Jan. 10. He plans to pitch for the Huskies, something he has never really done. He was a catcher the last time he played competitively as a sophomore at Bethel High.

But he hung around the baseball team a little bit last year to refresh his skills and said he can throw in the low 90s.

"But I don't know where it's going,'' he said in another of his typically light-hearted comments.

DuRocher said he got the final diagnosis of the tumor on Friday, and then was scratched from making the trip to the Apple Cup. He wouldn't have played anyway, as he was already ruled out due to the concussion.

Here's some additional information on brain tumors.