Tom Brady responds to four-game suspension

NEW YORK (KTRK) -- Tom Brady's four-game suspension for 'deflate-gate' will stand. The New England Patriots' quarterback has lost his appeal.

Brady is accused of knowingly playing with balls that were inflated below league standards in the AFC Championship game against Indianapolis.

In the NFL's 20-page ruling, the league claims "there was an affirmative effort by Mr. Brady to conceal potentially relevant evidence and undermine the investigation." Commissioner Roger Goodell also is quoted as saying the "closest parallel" to Brady's attempt to gain a competitive edge in the game by using under inflated footballs's is steroid use.

This morning, the quarterback posted a response to the decision on his Facebook page that reads in part:

Brady was suspended for four games, but appealed that punishment. He also rejected NFL overtures for a lesser penalty if he admitted the equipment employees were acting illegally and that he failed to cooperate with the league.

The NFL has now filed a case in federal court asking it to confirm Goodell's ruling, but the players union tells ABC News that it will appeal the decision.