Joe Zelikovitz was born in Ottawa in 1914 to Morris Paul and Sara (Cohen) Zelikovitz. He attended York Street Public School and later Lisgar Collegiate, where he excelled in multiple sports, including football, basketball, handball, and Track and Field. During the early 1930s, he captained Lisgar’s football and basketball teams. In the 1931-32 basketball season, he was the league’s top scorer and set an interscholastic record in 1932, scoring 35 points in a single game. His talents extended to handball, winning the Lisgar Championship in 1930-32 and allowing only 17 points against him in a tournament of over 500 competitors. He also earned medals in Discus and Javelin.

At St. Patrick’s College, Joe continued his athletic success, leading both the football and basketball teams to League Championships for two consecutive years. Although recruited by the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1933, he initially chose to play for the Rangers alongside teammates from St. Pat’s. He officially joined the Rough Riders in 1934 as a "flying wing" (halfback) on offense and a right linebacker on defense. Known as a “Ball Hawk” and a “60-minute man” for playing the entire game, he was a standout defensive player. On October 15, 1938, he set a record with seven interceptions in a single game—though this achievement is not reflected in C.F.L. record books.

His football career came to an end in 1938 after suffering a concussion. Decades later, in 1987, Joe was honored as the second inductee into the Ottawa Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. In 2001, he was further recognized with his induction into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame.

Joe Zelikovitz passed away on January 22, 1998.