Prior to his political career, Makowsky played 17 seasons for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Makowsky graduated from high school at Walter Murray Collegiate in 1991.

During his 4 years at the University of Saskatchewan, Makowsky helped the U of S Huskies to two Hardy Cup Championships, as well as being named to the Canada West All Star team in 1994.

Regina Gardiner Park was eliminated in 2024 general election and Makowski chose to stand in the newly redistributed Regina University, but lost to NDP candidate Sally Housser.

Makowsky, along with his then teammate Matt Dominguez, made a cameo appearance in the Corner Gas episode "Reader Pride".